The JJ Watt Sweepstakes: Four Potential Landing Spots

The Texans have successfully managed to go from a hopeful contender to absolute dumpster fire within only a couple years.  The J.J. Watt era in Houston is officially over, the Texans have managed to let go of Jadeveon Clowney, DeAndre Hopkins, J.J. Watt and possibly soon to be Deshaun Watson for zero first-round picks.  There is clearly no future plan of action for the Texans and I feel bad for first year head coach David Culley. With all that being said let’s take a look at potential suitors for the 10-year NFL veteran defensive end.

• The Pittsburgh Steelers

Signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers would be a dream, this move would reunite J.J. with his brothers T.J. and Derek Watt.  Now, with a financially challenged team like the Steelers, J.J. would have to take a significant pay cut.  The pay cut might be worth it to reunite with his brothers as well as terrorize the league with an already top 5 defensive unit the Steelers have.  However, with Big Ben in his final years, there is no telling how big the Superbowl window is.  

• The Green Bay Packers

Go Pack Go!  J.J. Watt being from Wisconsin, would love the chance to go home and bring the Lombardi trophy back to Green Bay.  If they cut pass rusher Preston Smith they can sign J.J. Watt to a decent contract and slide him right in to fill the void.  The Packers and 2020 MVP Aaron Rodgers are coming off a heartbreaking loss in the NFC championship.  With a new defensive coordinator and a player of J.J. Watt’s caliber, he might be just what they need to take them to the Superbowl.  

• The Chicago Bears

This is an intriguing one, the Chicago Bears are the rival of J.J.’s hometown team.  However, J.J.’s wife, star soccer player Kealia Watt, is a member of the Chicago Red Stars.  The Bears feature a top 5 defensive unit and adding J.J. Watt to a mix of Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman would reestablish the monsters of the midway.  The only question that lies is at the quarterback position for the Bears.  Will they rock with Mitchell Trubisky? Or bring someone else in? Either way they need to take advantage of the defensive unit while they have it. 

• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As if the defending Superbowl champions did not have enough fire power on the defensive line.  Adding J.J. Watt would make the Buccaneers arguably one of the best defensive lines in history.  Watt is looking to add a ring to his resume, with legendary quarterback Tom Brady at the helm and all his weaponry on offense this team has a very good chance to make it back to the big game in 2021.  J.J. would most likely need to take a pay cut to join, he would be in a defensive line rotation that would keep him fresh and healthy.