Vocal about his frustration with the Texans‘ situation, J.J. Watt is on track to play in 16 games for just second time in the past five seasons. Although a midseason report tabbed the future Hall of Fame defensive lineman as a “virtual lock” to be traded in the offseason, Watt has one season remaining on his Texans deal. He acknowledged his contract — a six-year, $100MM 2014 pact that has since been lapped by a few younger D-linemen — will need to be addressed in 2021.
“There’s a whole lot of unknowns in that situation. We’ll see what happens,” Watt said, via Fox 26’s Mark Berman (video link). “I don’t have any guarantees left in my contact, so something’s got to happen one way or another. I’m not sure. There’s too many unknowns.”
Thanks to the Laremy Tunsil deal, the Texans do not have first- or second-round picks in next year’s draft. Despite Watt’s contributions, Houston’s defense ranks near the bottom of the NFL. And the team does not have many long-term cornerstones on offense beyond Tunsil or Deshaun Watson. Watt, 31, would be an interesting 2021 trade chip — should the Texans attempt to collect assets for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year — but the prospect of a new Watt contract in a year when the cap is set to decline would seemingly affect his market.
Here is the latest from the AFC heading into Week 17:
- Another superstar from the 2011 draft class, A.J. Green may be set for his final Bengals game Sunday. The former perennial Pro Bowler has seen his role in Cincinnati’s offense reduced, despite playing on the franchise tag, and acknowledged Sunday might be it for him in western Ohio. “If this is my last game, I had an unbelievable 10 years here,” Green said (via ESPN.com’s Ben Baby, on Twitter) Thursday. The Bengals did not let Green test free agency this year, which understandably led to frustration from the veteran, and 2021 figures to be a crowded marketplace for wideouts. Green, 32, stayed healthy this year but has just 47 receptions for 523 yards — a distant third among Bengals.
- The Broncos will have a decision to make at running back soon. They have Phillip Lindsay looming as an RFA, and Melvin Gordon‘s DUI arrest has him facing a three-game suspension — one that would stand to void the remaining guarantees on his two-year, $16MM deal. “Hopefully I did enough for them to want to keep me here,” Gordon said, via 9News’ Mike Klis. Gordon has rushed for 893 yards in 14 games but has a career-low 141 receiving yards.
- A back injury ended Mitchell Schwartz‘s iron-man streak at 134 games; the Chiefs‘ All-Pro right tackle has been out since Week 6. Andy Reid said the veteran right tackle is making progress but was vague on a return timeline, per the Kansas City Star’s Herbie Teope (on Twitter). Another report, via the Star’s Sam Mellinger (on Twitter), indicated Schwartz is not expected to return this season. Schwartz, 31, has long been one of the NFL’s top right tackles. His absence would obviously make a Chiefs repeat championship more difficult.
- Brandon Bolden was one of the eight Patriots to opt out because of COVID-19 concerns, but the longtime backup running back/special-teamer plans to play in 2021. The 30-year-old back tweeted he wants to return next season, though it is not certain if the Patriots will bring him back. Thanks to Bolden’s 2020 money tolling, he is under contract next year on a $1.3MM base salary.
JJ a needs to rethink his stance on “addressing” his being the highest paid DE. First off he’s 31, injury prone and not the player he was in years past. Unless he brings his price down for a long term contract he will be nothing more than a 1 year rental for a team looking for a situational pass rusher.
I’m not sure he’s looking to be the highest paid DL but more about trying to win a ring which looks murky if he wants to stay in Houston. At least that’s what I gathered from some vague comments…
Yes because his brother is gonna make more than him on his next contract. Houston should prob get what they can for him bc they aren’t winning anything anytime soon
U gotta feel bad for little Derek watt
Agreed. Hopefully he wants to address the years, not the annual salary.
I’m not sure that the Broncos end up keeping Lindsay, who was certainly frustrated with the Gordon signing. His play certainly also was affected, both in terms of snaps played and of production when playing. He had a few moments, but nothing like his breakout year.
I did not question the validity of wanting a bigger back, but I did question of value of signing a volume back like Gordon when he was going to need a lot of carries to establish a rhythm. Gordon has been mostly good, but neither he nor Lindsay ever looked 100% comfortable (especially Lindsay) splitting carries. It would be a shame to lose Lindsay, who is one of the best in the NFL at his type of running, and rushes with much more power than expected for his size. Lindsay is also their only real pass catcher out of the backfield, so his value in relation to Gordon there should also be noted.
It just seems that Denver’s only chance to lure Lindsay back willingly is to either offer a larger deal than they seem willing to or reduce Gordon’s role in the offense (to the point of get rid of him and let Lindsay start). Lindsay wants to be the lead back, and certainly seems to feel that he’s earned that role through his play-the latter of which can actually be confirmed. That’s mostly speculative, as Lindsay has not directly said much (to his credit) about his contract, but it does seem that Denver may have to make a choice between Gordon and Lindsay. The real beneficence of this could be Freeman-Denver may lose Gordon or Lindsay, and Freeman, who was rumored to surprisingly be a cut candidate, likely stays if one of the others go. Just a theory, could be mistaken. We’ll see what happens.
Apt analysis I very much enjoyed reading this
Thank you.
Patriots need him ! For Cheap !
Jules Winnfield: “Say Watt again, say Watt again, I dare you, I double dare you, say Watt one more GD time!”
Just reminded me of one of my favorite Tomlin quotes…
“Every coach should have a Watt. I got my Watt.”
FTR, he now has two Watts. He’s hogging the Watts. Thus, making it harder for other coaches to have their Watts.
Valid strategy. If every coach needs one, grab all of ‘em.
Turn down for Watt!
AJ Green will go to New England South (Tampa!)
Watt could come to Seattle. Not sure what it would take to get him though. I find a first rnd pick a bit high with his injury list and age. Maybe a 2nd or 3rd depends on what he wants on a new contract. Would be part of the deal get to extend him before trade was final.
AJ Green still has some tread left. I say he ends up in Cleveland, Green Bay or San Francisco.