The Texans are releasing J.J. Watt, and he should be a Patriots’ target
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A tearful J.J. Watt announced on social media that he’d be leaving the Houston Texans, an organization where he’s spent (and perhaps even wasted) his entire career. Watt is hardly the game-wrecking freak that he once was, but he remains an outstanding defender.
It’s easy to imagine he wants to win a championship.
After a 7-9 season, Bill Belichick’s selling point — “I’m a perennial contender” — isn’t as strong as it is in most years, in large part because Tom Brady isn’t around. Of course, the Patriots have no one else lined up at quarterback, with Cam Newton set to enter free agency after a tough year in New England.
If Watt is feeling some urgency to win a championship, the Patriots are a good but not great option. That torch is now in the Chiefs and Bucs’ hands. The other point of competition for New England is T.J. Watt, J.J.’s brother, who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers and clearly wants to team up.
The good news for New England is that they should have ample cap space (roughly $58 million) to give Watt a competitive salary while also likely competing for a Super Bowl, assuming New England can add offensive talent this offseason (especially at quarterback).
The Patriots need to shore up their defensive front seven with talent. Watt, 31, is a really strong option to galvanize New England’s edge position while also adding leadership and a wealth of experience.
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