It appears the Chicago Bears focus in 2021 will be on upgrading their offense. This is hardly a surprise. When a unit finishes 22nd or worse for the past three seasons, it is a pretty safe bet the team will allocate the majority of their resources to fixing it. Quarterback? Offensive line? Wide receiver? Each will get attention. Yet that doesn’t mean the defense will be ignored. Hence the JJ Watt speculation.
The future Hall of Fame pass rusher was released by the Houston Texans last week. Something people never would’ve dreamed was possible even just three years ago. Another reminder that the NFL can be an ice cold business. Still, Watt isn’t the type to be bitter. He’s made so much money from Houston. Now he has a chance to chase the ring that has eluded him for a decade.
It’s a matter of where will he land?
There are teams that stand out as favorites. As a Wisconsin-native, the Green Bay Packers are an obvious option. The Pittsburgh Steelers employ his younger brother T.J. So a reunion might be fun there. Recent rumors suggest the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills are both strong contenders as well. Chicago doesn’t seem like a top option for his services.
Yet belief remains they could be if they wanted. Part of why that is? Their city happens to host Watt’s wife Kealia, a professional women’s soccer player for the Chicago Red Stars. The veteran defensive end has stated he’s love to be closer to his beloved again. He also has made no secret of his love for the city and especially the cuisine.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
As Chicago-area restaurants and media members ramped up their pitch to Watt, it appears his wife was in full support of the idea of coming here.
https://twitter.com/DawindycityP/status/1362268813170012162
JJ Watt would need to be sold on the Bears, not Chicago
It’s an obvious question. Why would Watt want to join the Bears? Yes, they have a defense he would no doubt love to play on. Getting to share the same field as Khalil Mack, Akiem Hick, Roquan Smith, Kyle Fuller, and Eddie Jackson. It could make for a really fun time in 2021 and perhaps turns the Bears front seven into something devastating. Especially if Robert Quinn can regain any semblance of his former self.
The problem is two-fold. Chicago doesn’t currently have a viable quarterback. Something the other suitors mentioned earlier have no concerns about. The other is economics. The Bears don’t have any cap space as things stand. They have to make some moves just to find some. Being able to afford JJ Watt would be a challenge unless the veteran were to take a sizable discount of some kind.
Not enough about it makes sense.
Watt in Chicago would be loads of fun and make the Bears defense must-see TV. Presuming everybody stays healthy of course. That said, it just doesn’t seem like GM Ryan Pace would prioritize pursuing him. Watt would be a luxury at this point for this team. Not a necessity. While his wife may approve of him rejoining her in Chicago, it’s likely he lands elsewhere.