J.J. Watt Makes His Decision

sports
Written By Cecil Merkerson III

JJ Watt was announced to be released from the Houston Texans earlier this month, leaving many fans wondering where he will land towards the end of his career.

Watt broke the news himself on Twitter about joining the Arizona Cardinals on Monday. He revealed the massive news by posting a picture of him sporting the team's logo on a shirt.

It was later announced by ESPN’s Adam Schefter per his sources the deal is two years worth $31 million, with $23 million of it guaranteed.  

 
 

This signing came as a surprise to many, as there were talks around the league that he was going to sign with a contender to try to win a championship. The Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Green Bay Packers were all rumored as potential teams on Watt’s shortlist. After being in Houston for ten years and not even coming close to achieving the goal of a championship, many people suspected he would sign with a team that recently came close to a Super Bowl appearance. However, he surprised us all by partnering up with his whole teammate, DeAndre Hopkins, and signing with the Arizona Cardinals. 

Watt is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner, a two-time sack leader and a five-time Pro Bowler. Watt is already a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame, but the only thing missing in his luxurious career would be a Super Bowl title, after carrying the Houston franchise for years.

Watt’s signing to the Arizona Cardinals comes one year after Houston traded away their other star player, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. At the time of that trade last season, many were scratching their hands as to why such a move would be made. Hopkins was arguably one of the best wide receivers in the entire league and was traded away for next to nothing. This move reunites two players who were the face of the Houston franchise for years, alongside DeShaun Watson, another Houston star who could be on the move sooner rather than later. Being reunited with his former teammate is sure to fire them up, as well as the fans for the team. 

Watt, who some considered to be the best defensive player in football not so long ago, has seen his numbers dwindle a bit in the last few years with the Texans. In the past two seasons, he has had just ten sacks and 76 tackles. This is a considerable drop off from what he previously was able to accomplish with the team, as in 2015, he had 76 tackles and 17.5 sacks in that one season alone. It remains to be seen if he can find the fountain of youth and turn back the clock now heading into his 30s as an NFL player.

After selecting Kyler Murray with the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals have been knocking at the door of contention in the NFC West. They finished the 2020 season at .500 with an 8-8 record. Having a player of Watts caliber join the team will bolster their chances of taking the leap into the playoffs, especially now that they are also getting star edge rusher, Chandler Jones, back from injury.

With trade talks surrounding Seattle and quarterback Russell Wilson, who led the division at 12-4 last season, and the Los Angeles Rams making a move for former Detroit Lions quarterback  Matthew Stafford, it’s looking like the NFC West is going to be challenging this upcoming season. There are still the San Francisco 49ers who can be dangerous if they can find a way to get back to their 2019 form.

Time will tell how all things will transpire with Watt and his new team and if he made the right decision in joining this Arizona Cardinals team. As a team, the Cardinals are still young and have not been able to secure a playoff berth since 2015 when Carson Palmer and Bruce Arians were running things. We will see if Watt has more luck in January football with the Cardinals than he has had with the Texans.

Cecil Merkerson III
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