J.J. Watt rumors: 5 landing spots to watch
The Houston Texans released star defensive end J.J. Watt after 10 seasons on Friday morning, and now the race is on to sign him.
5. Buffalo Bills
It stands to reason that Watt, who is almost 32 years old, will want to play with a contender. The Bills certainly fill that need, as they came up one step short of the Super Bowl in the 2020 season. Buffalo needs some help long the defensive front, as Mario Addison, Jerry Hughes and Trent Murphy were underwhelming as a group last year. J.J. Watt might not be great at this juncture, but he’s very good and would be a huge addition.
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4. Kansas City Chiefs
This is a rich-getting-richer scenario, but it’s not impossible. The Chiefs must clear some cap space as even team oaths list does save Indianapolis, but they can do it with simple moves. Kansas City could be losing defensive ends Alex Okafor, Taco Charlton and Tanoh Kpassagnon to free agency. If Watt is looking for a decent payday but a great chance to reach and win the Super Bowl for the first time in his career, the Chiefs offer the perfect opportunity.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
Now we get into the reasons beyond football for the next two clubs. Pittsburgh is probably the furthest away from a championship of the teams on this list, but it’s a good squad which happens to employ his two brothers, T.J. and Derek. If Watt wants to have a full-on family reunion while winning 10+ games, the Steelers offer a very intriguing landing spot. However, Pittsburgh does have a ton its own free agents to sign and with little money to do so.
Read: Interest In Steelers WR Juju Smith-Schuster Heating Up
2. Green Bay Packers
The Packers have reached the NFC title game in each of the last two seasons, inly to fall short of the Super Bowl on each occasion. Now, Green Bay faces an offseason rife with choices to be made on its own free agents, but Watt presents a unique proposition. Watt, a Wisconsin native, could be brought in while general manager Brian Gutekunst potentially moves on from edge rusher Preston Smith and save a few bucks.
1. Indianapolis Colts
Of all the teams listed here, the Colts easily have the most cap space. In fact, only the Jacksonville Jaguars have more across the league. Watt could stay in the AFC South, play for a contender and get a good paycheck without worrying about his new team losing key players to bring him aboard. Not the sexiest outcome, but makes plenty of sense.
