It is incredible to think about. Just five years ago people would’ve laughed at the idea that JJ Watt would wear anything but a Houston Texans jersey his entire NFL career. He was the best defensive player on the planet and universally beloved in that city. He still is. Yet the ongoing problems with the Texans management and deterioration of the team led to the inevitable happening. For the first time in his career, JJ Watt is a free agent.

There is no question the man will end up in the Hall of Fame. He’s a five-time All-Pro and three-time Defensive Player of the Year. The only man to top 20 sacks in a season twice. He has 101 for his career. The man will be in Canton. It’s just a matter of waiting five years after he retires. What people want to know for now is where he’ll play next.

Some options are certainly on the table.

He could consider the Green Bay Packers since he is a Wisconsin native. They just got done playing in their second-straight NFC championship. He’s chasing a ring. It would make sense. Others think he might try to sign in Pittsburgh to play with his younger brother TJ on what is a pretty good Steelers team. So here’s a question.

Should the Chicago Bears inquire? Some fans won’t want anything to do with that idea. Watt is turning 32 in March and has a history of health issues. He’s bound to be expensive too, right? Yes, these are all valid concerns. At the same time, there are some reasons to think he’d at least listen to the idea of coming to Chicago.

The #Texans are releasing star JJ Watt, source said.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2021

@JJWatt big dawg what’s good with you 👀👀👀👀. Asking for a friend!!!

— cordarrelle patterson (@ceeflashpee84) February 12, 2021

Next Team JJ Watt Will Play A Snap For:

-PIT: +150
-TB/GB: +400
-BAL: +600
-CHI: +700
-DAL/NE/LAR/BUF: +1100
-MIA/CLE: +1400
-TEN: +1800

Which team are you betting on?👇 pic.twitter.com/EsEkrnCxI5

— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) February 12, 2021

JJ Watt can be a nice extra jolt to the Bears pass rush

Let’s start with the obvious. One big thing luring Watt to Chicago is his wife. Kealia Watt is a professional soccer player for the Chicago Red Stars. Getting a chance to rejoin her in the same city would be appealing to him. He’d also be joining a pretty good defense. Playing on the same front as Akiem Hicks and Khalil Mack? That has to sound intriguing to him as well.

The big sticking point is money. How big of a contract will he be looking for. The Bears don’t have much cap space to work with at present and they need all they can find to keep Allen Robinson and find a quarterback. So Watt would have to unusually generous with his demands. The good news is he has earned just over $100 million in his NFL career from Houston. So it’s likely money isn’t his primary motivation at this point. JJ Watt is chasing a ring.

The Bears have made the playoffs two of the past three years.

Granted, neither trip ended in pretty fashion but it’s something they can at least say. The truth is the Bears can’t be called a favorite to land Watt or if they even have an interest in doing so. They should. Even at his age, he can still be an effective pass rusher. Especially when opponents can focus their attention on him. GM Ryan Pace would be doing himself and the team a disservice to not at least reach out.

No compensatory pick would be lost since he was released. His leadership and drive all fit the Bears’ locker room profile and no defense can ever have enough good players. It isn’t a hard sell.