By Sean Gannon

Three-time defensive player of the year JJ Watt has officially been released from the Houston Texans. He met today with the McNairs, and they both decided that it was time for them to part ways. This comes after a disappointing season for Houston and doesn’t come as a surprise; after their Week 16 loss to the Bengals, Watt was frustrated with the poor defensive play and lack of professionalism from teammates. Following their Week 17 loss to the Titans, he stated to Deshaun Watson, “I’m sorry. We wasted one of your years.” There just began a growing feeling after Watson expressed he wanted out that JJ might be out as well. Since 2019, General Manager Brain Gaine has departed, Dandre Hopkins was traded, head coach Bill O’Brian was fired, head of public relations was fired, President Jamey Rootes resigned, and now team captain face of the franchise JJ Watt has been released. The Texans are in a massive overhaul; this just felt like the timing was right for Houston and Watt.

With the release, JJ now enters free agency and immediately becomes a top free agent to acquire. In ten years in the league, Watt has accumulated 101 sacks, three defensive player of the year awards, five pro bowl nods, and is a five-time first-team all-pro player. In 2014 Watt was put in at the tight end position, and we saw him catching touchdown passes. JJ has put together a hall of fame career, and many teams will be looking to sign him. With Houston releasing him and not trying to trade him, Watt is benefitting from picking any team that he wants to join. Watt has never won a Super Bowl; he’s never even played in an NFC or AFC championship game. He will join a contender; the only thing he is missing in his illustrious career is a ring. I’m unsure of the contract he is looking for, but coming off of a massive 100-million-dollar deal with the Texans, there is a possibility that he takes a cheap deal with a team primed for a deep playoff run. So, let’s get into teams that could be signing JJ Watt in the coming weeks.

Immediately after he was released, his brother TJ Watt went to Twitter, trying to get his brother to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has a stout defense, and getting to play with his brother would be a lot of fun, and adding JJ makes this already scary defense all the more dangerous. Other teams that could look to sign Watt are the Packers, Bills, Buccaneers, and Browns. Watt played his college football at Wisconsin; he is very familiar with the state, and the Packers were just one game shy of being in the Super Bowl. The defensive line is a great one, with Dean Lowery and Tyler Lancaster adding Watt would provide depth and help open lanes for the dynamic Smith duo to get after opposing quarterbacks. The Bills struggled to get after Mahomes in the AFC Championship, only notching one sack. Adding Watt will help AJ Epenesa in his second year. It will also give them depth alongside Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison. I admit that the Buccaneers is a weird one, but they have many offseason signings to make happen, including Shaquill Barrett, who is looking for a big contract, Chris Godwin, Ndamukong Suh, and Rob Gronkowski. Signing all of their pass rushers and offensive weapons might prove difficult this offseason. If one of the pass rushers does depart, signing JJ Watt gives them a great pass rusher and an immediate starter who can fill the role effortlessly. Tampa Bay is coming off of a Super Bowl win and is primed for a repeat. The Browns are a fun one, similar to the Bills; they only notched one sack against the Chiefs. With an achilles injury to Olivier Vernon, who is now entering free agency, the Browns may not resign him. Pairing Watt with Myles Garrett would give them a great 1-2 pass-rushing combo and be menacing for opposing quarterbacks. Cleveland is in a tough AFC North division, and getting after the quarterback can make all the difference when you’re playing Ben Rothlisberger and Lamar Jackson.

No matter where he goes, he will make an impact either as a starter or a role player. JJ Watt is hungry for a Super Bowl and wants to get that win to solidify his hall of fame career. He is in a great position to pick any team that he wants and at any price he sees fit. No matter where he goes, it will be a contender. JJ is not looking to help rebuild a team but add his veteran experience and do his best to win games.