Deshaun Watson may not be the only star player who could find his way out of Houston. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) there’s a “sense” that the Texans could look to move on from their star pass rusher J.J. Watt as they pivot toward a rebuild.
Following rumblings from November that the organization could look to trade the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rapoport notes that the new front office believes Watt deserves clarity on the situation. NFL Network’s James Palmer adds some fuel to that fire (on Twitter), noting that teammates and coaches believe the veteran has played his final game in Houston, with that sentiment being the general “mood in the locker room after their final game.”
With a new coaching staff and front office, things were already expected to look a whole lot different in Houston next season (even if the organization refuses to trade Watson). Considering all that Watt has done for Houston — both on the field and in the community — it’d certainly be tough to justify a trade without some explicit request.
On the flip side, one could argue that the front office should look to get whatever assets they can for the veteran, especially with the future Hall of Famer heading into the final year of his contract. With Watt being on the wrong side of 30, having never advanced past the second round of the playoffs, and being uninterested in a rebuild, the front office could find themselves losing the pass rusher for nothing next offseason. Watt is due to make $17.5MM in 2021.
This past season, Watt appeared in all 16 games for only the second time in the past five years. The 31-year-old finished the campaign having compiled 52 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pick-six.
Is he still an impact player at that price??? I’m asking
Does not matter. Both parties signed the contract. Watt is getting paid what was stipulated in said contract. His future earnings is a different matter.
Of course it matters. The rumor is he may be traded. A huge variable in a potential trade is how impactful the player is compared to his salary. If you’re going to comment on a rumors site in response to a very specific question, at least provide an answer to that specific question. Otherwise go take your soap box to another post or go hunt down whomever took a dump in your Cheerios this morning. Sheesh.
@salute that is one of the best replies to a cranky troll ever. Well done sir or mam, well done.
He is a solid DE who plays run well and can provide good pass rush. Pro bowl unlikely but I think he has 2 or 3 good years left.
Is he worth a lot in trade? Not for one 31 year old season at his salary.
Like this, Julyn. ^^^
go the Rams on the cheap and play next to AD! any edge rusher can get 10 sacks next to AD and make it to the play-offs. see dante fowler jr and leonard floyd!
I think he would rather go to Pittsburgh and play with his brothers
Steelers can’t even afford to keep their own let alone bring in anyone else!
As cool as it would be to see J.J. there with Derek and T.J., there is not much chance of it I think. Jumbo is right. The Steelers are in cap crisis mode right now, and it’s doubtful that they could add Watt unless he takes a massive discount. It’s not out of the realm of possibility, since he wants to go to a contender and his brothers are there, but I don’t see it as likely.
how awesome would that be?!
Jules Winnfield: Say ‘Watt’ again. Say ‘Watt’ again, I dare you, I double dare you, say Watt one more GD time!
Great PULP FICTION reference
Turn down for WATT!
Join the Steelers and your brothers. Three Watts.
Trade Watt and Watson to the Jets for Darnold, Q Williams, Becton, #2 pick and next year’s number one pick. The time is now for the Jets. I’d laugh if Miami gets him and Jets blew another opportunity
If the time is now for the Jets, why would they give up their best offensive lineman and top defensive player?
No way in hell the Jets would ever consider that trade
Steelers won’t get JJ Watt, they are nearly $35 million over the cap and have big name free Agents to re-sign. They are literally in salary cap Hell.
Da Bears!!!
as a Bears fan I am willing to trade the following:
houston – 2 1st’s, 2 2nd’s, 5th, Foles, and Quinn
chicago – Watson and Watt
Not enough, they won’t want Quinn either
Lions need a pass rush
As does Tennessee.
Green Bay should trade for him. Bring the guy home, win a chip with him and Rodgers and then start the love train.
With Watt cap room?
It looks very likely that Green Bay is going to let Aaron Jones, Kevin King, and Preston Smith walk this offseason. They’d be able to bring Watt in with those other contracts expiring. It just depends on how Gutey wants to invest in the roster and plug in holes.
You do know that they just gave Aaron Jones top 5 RB pay extension and they are still nearly $33 million over the cap.
They offered him that. He turned it down.
King should get a lifetime contract.
If the Chargers can’t resign Ingram then I hope they can work out something with Houston to have JJ for a year alongside Bosa
Great combo
Watt is no longer a high impact player. He’s still playing better than most at the position, thus he’d be worth something to a team like Tennessee.
just stay in the great state of Texas and go play for the Cowboys…
I would miss JJ but I do hope he can go somewhere decent.
Hopefully some place we can get something in return
I loved him before the couple of seasons was out hurt but this team needs a rebuild and who knows what will be with Watson too.
I though that this was pretty common knowledge dating back to last season.
Wouldn’t it be a bit funny if Miami called Houston-not for Watson, but for Watt? I think that could be intriguing.
He would look good in Kansas City. Might even get a ring
I wonder if the Texans tried to dangle Watts for Stafford and both teams exchange a few draft picks so then they can unload Watson for multiple first round picks. Just a thought.
Quite the fit in Cleveland.
Colts need pass rush, a QB, and some receivers. All of which Houston has and none of which would ever be traded in the division lol