Eric Christian Smith / Associated Press
The Houston Texans apparently understand that defensive end JJ Watt ‘deserves clarity’ about his future with the franchise at a possible crossroads following a trade request from quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reported Saturday that it “might make more sense” for Watt and the Texans to go their own way:
In addition, the mood in Houston’s locker room after the loss of the season Tennessee Titans on Jan. 3 was that the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year ‘played his last game as a Texan,’ according to the NFL Network’s James Palmer.
Watt has one season left in his six years, $ 100 million contract. The Texans can release or trade him and eliminate his entire $ 17.5 million cap for 2021 without any dead money in the future.
The 31-year-old Wisconsin resident was virtually unblocked through his first five seasons after Houston selected him in the first round of the 2011 draft. He scored 371 total tackles, 74.5 pockets, 45 passes, 15 forced fumbles and two touchdowns in his first 80 career games.
His career was derailed by injuries after that dominant start. He missed most of the next two seasons due to two back surgeries in 2016 and a knee surgery in 2017.
Watt bounced back with 16 bags in 2018, but he has only counted nine bags over 24 performances in the past two years.
The defense of the Texans as a whole struggled tremendously in 2020 and was allowed 30th place in allowed yards (416.8 per game) and 27th point (29 per game) as part of a disappointing 4-12 season.
Watt’s frustration was evident in December when he discussed players who do not always give 100 percent.
“Our professional athletes are paid a lot of money,” Watt said. told reporters. “If you can not come in and put work into the building, go to the training ground and work hard, do your lifts and do what you have to do, you must not be here. It’s a job. We become very pay money. ‘
After the final against the Titans, he was shown by NFL Films and apologized to Watson for the inability of the team to capitalize on the great season of the quarterback:
Now the future of the stars can be linked.
If the Texane can somehow convince Watson to withdraw his trade request and play in 2021, the front office might prefer to keep Watt as a good faith measure to show he is committed to winning.
If Houston decides to move its franchise fullback, it’s likely that the five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher will also end his time with the team.
Watt will arouse much interest from the candidates for the title if he enters free agency.