Star defensive end J.J. Watt and the Houston Texans have mutually agreed to part ways. The longtime Texan was due $17.5 million this upcoming season, so the organization decided it was for the best for their upcoming rebuild. Watt was without a doubt one of the best players in Texans franchise history, and this marks the end of an era in Houston.
Now everyone will be looking to predict Watt’s next team. While Watt isn’t the same dominant self he once was back in his prime in terms of rushing the passer, he is still an extremely efficient defender. He was 6th in the NFL in guarding against the run according to PFF, so he is still an agile run stuffer.
DraftKings Sportsbook has released their current odds on where Watt will play next season. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, and that’s right, the Chicago Bears, are the top favorites to sign the former All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year. Let’s discuss these four teams and their current odds to land Watt.
Pittsburgh Steelers +150
The Steelers make the most sense for Watt by a pretty good margin and would be the logical place for him to go. Both of Watt’s brothers, T.J. and Derek, are on the Steelers. In fact, T.J. almost instantaneously tweeted his brother when J.J. released a video announcing his release to come join him in Pittsburgh. This past season, the Watt’s became the first trio of brothers to all play in the same NFL game. It would be pretty incredible if they were to all be on the same team.
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The Steelers would have to work some magic financially in order to sign Watt to the squad, but if they were to pull it off, it would just add to that stingy Pittsburgh D that finished number one in defensive DVOA last season. With Bud Dupree set to enter free agency, the Steelers will be in need of another pass rusher. Lookout if they manage to get Watt.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +400
If Watt is trying to win a ring and that’s what is most important to him, there would not be a better place to land than with the GOAT, Tom Brady, and the defending champion Buccaneers. The Bucs will have a ton of decisions they will have to make this offseason regarding their core players, but if Watt is serious about winning, he could take a pay cut to make it work. Watt working with Shaquil Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul, Devin White, and LeVonte David would be as deadly a front as any in football. The trick would be if they could afford it, which is very tricky. Adding Watt would allow the team to move on from Ndamukong Suh and his salary, and if Watt takes a pay cut, they could keep all of the rest of those guys.
The other things to consider are the obvious reasons to join Tampa. The weather there is impeccable year-round, and let’s not forget about Florida’s amazing state tax rules. Every tax dollar saved for him would be huge if he takes a pay cut.
Green Bay Packers +450
Watt grew up a huge Packers fan and is from the state of Wisconsin, so it would be a homecoming of sorts should he sign with Green Bay. They are also clearly built to win a championship as well, being involved in the NFC Championship Game the previous two seasons. Of course, having a man like Aaron Rodgers as your QB also helps. The defending NFL MVP will look to eviscerate the league again in 2021.
Green Bay would also have to work some magic in terms of cap space to afford Watt, but it’s a very manageable task. CB Kevin King is almost certainly gone after his horrendous performance in the playoffs this past season. They can make it happen if they want to make a run at Watt.
Chicago Bears +700
Ryan Pace, paging Ryan Pace. Is there a pulse left in there? According to Bears ownership, yes, but we all know how much we can trust them to make good decisions. Look, a defensive front of Watt, Khalil Mack, Eddie Goldman, Akiem Hicks, and Robert Quinn looks amazing on paper. Unfortunately, the Bears would have to really shake some things up in order to make room financially to add a player like him.
One thing to keep an eye on, however, is the fact that Watt’s wife Kealia Ohai Watt plays for the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL. Watt and his wife have expressed in the past their desire to be closer to each other, and they both seem to genuinely like the city and its food.
But let’s be real, this is highly unlikely, especially with the Bears being as desperate as they are to get a QB.
Dark Horse – New England Patriots +1100
This is the team Watt would go to if he wants to cash in big. The Patriots have a good amount of cap space to be able to offer Watt a very large sum of money. After the worst season in New England in a very long time and Tom Brady coming off a Super Bowl victory with Tampa, look or Bill Belichick to retool and reload his team. Watt working with Belichick on that Patriots D would be a pretty scary sight for opposing offenses.
