The New York Jets started a new era last June when rising star Joe Douglas was hired for the general manager job to replace Mike Maccagnan. Ever since coming in, Douglas has worked to change the culture with more professional players and high-quality production. Douglas scored gold in his first draft and he handed out many great contracts in his first year.
There is another contract that may seem like a pipe dream for Joe to hand out but is entirely possible. Houston Texans nine-year veteran defensive end J.J. Watt is nearing the end of his contract. He told reporters that he doesn’t anticipate another contract extension.
From NFL Now: #Texans DE JJ Watt told reporters he's not anticipating a new contract extension… which makes sense for an organization that still wants to pay QB Deshaun Watson a very huge lot of money at some point. pic.twitter.com/RE5OSfqppY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 28, 2020
This would make sense as the Texans have a tight payroll despite trading away DeAndre Hopkins. They still are likely going to need to hand an extension out to star quarterback Deshaun Watson, and with David Johnson and Brandin Cooks’s contract on board, it is just not economical to pay J.J. Watt with the current structure of Houston’s roster.
The Jets would be a great fit for Watt for a host of reasons. Watt, 31, will be 33 when he hits the free-agent market and is not as durable as he once was. Watt has only played in eight or more games once since 2016 with that coming in a monster 2018 season. Watt plays best with a stronger backfield and a more open line which is what the Jets currently have. They employ Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, C.J. Mosley, and several others, and adding Watt to the defensive line would certainly balance out their already above-average defense.
Another smaller perk for Watt is that his wife, soccer star Kealia Ohai, was traded from Houston to Chicago this winter, and Chicago is 300 miles closer to New York than Houston. Aside from the location convenience, New York has the biggest market in the world and having a power couple like the Watts be able to expand their platform to the largest one in sports would provide to be beneficial for the and the sports world. Watt is the type of personality that belongs and deserves New York. The fans would love him in New York, and he would love the fans.
The 6-foot-5, 289-pound beast has been in the league since being selected 11th overall by the Houston Texans in 2011. Watt was fairly decent as a rookie compiling 5.5 sacks but truly was impressive from 2012-2015. Watt compiled 69 sacks, was sack leader twice with 20.5 sacks both times, won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, was selected to the Pro Bowl in all four of those years, and was also selected as a First-Team All-Pro in all of those years. In 2014, Watt signed what was then the largest non-quarterback extension at six years and $100 million.
Watt has played in 112 out of 144 possible games, compiling 96 sacks, 479 tackles, 54 pass deflections, 23 forced fumbles, 15 fumbles, one interception, and two defensive touchdowns. The Wisconsin product most recently played a full season in 2018, again getting selected to the First-Team All-Pro, earning a Pro-Bowl selection, and sacking the quarterback 16 times. One fascinating stat about Watt is that he has the fifth-most tackles for a loss since 1999. He has been in the league since 2011.
Watt has also played in eight playoff games, racking up six total sacks. He would bring some playoff experience to the Jets.
It would be amazing for the Jets to pick up Watt but there will undoubtedly be a big market for his services with the Bears, Steelers, Dolphins, and the aforementioned Jets as the most obvious suitors that come to mind.
3 Responses
The only place away from Houston that JJ is going is Pittsburg to play with his brothers.