JJ Watt signs with Arizona Cardinals

Author Alex Barth

March 1st, 2021 1:14 PM

J.J. Watt’s free agency saga is over less than a month after it began. On Monday, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year announced

source: me. pic.twitter.com/1Y6okQBUy5

source: me. pic.twitter.com/1Y6okQBUy5

source: me. pic.twitter.com/1Y6okQBUy5

source: me. pic.twitter.com/1Y6okQBUy5

Watt spent the first 10 years of his career with the Houston Texans, but asked to be released following the 2020 season due to what was viewed as a disconnect between Watt and the organization. He’s part of a parade of stars who have left Houston in recent years, including DeAndre Hopkins, who is also now with the Cardinals. Quarterback Deshaun Watson requested a trade earlier this offseason, but the Texans are yet to grant that request.

Arizona is a bit of a surprise landing spot for Watt. Teams like the Steelers, Packers, and Bills were seen as the favorites, while the Cardinals weren’t even listed among the initial odds from sports betting website Action Network.

A five-time All Pro, Watt has been hampered by injuries in recent years. He played 16 games in 2020, but it was just his second season playing more than eight games since 2016. The 31-year-old recorded five sacks and 14 tackles for a loss last season.

Watt joins what should end up being a ferocious pass rush. He’ll line up opposite from former Patriot Chandler Jones, who had 19 sacks in 2019 before missing most of 2020 due to an injury, assuming Jones isn’t traded or released.

MORE: Free Agents for the Patriots defense

• LB Matt Judon

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  If Belichick wants to make a splash and instantly add impact talent to his linebacker room, Judon fits the bill. He amassed six sacks and 21 quarterback hits last season, despite playing in only 14 games. Judon may prove too expensive, because it’s likely that Belichick would have to outbid everyone else. But there are few better ways for the Patriots to make an immediate, substantial talent upgrade in the front-seven. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

• LB Lavonte David

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  After winning a Super Bowl and prove he can still be a very good middle linebacker for any defense, David may end up a little overpaid on the open market. But if the Patriots want to bring in anyone of David’s caliber, they need to pay up. We’ll see if the 31-year-old can get legitimate term on his contract, but he will command one of the highest salaries on his new team. He’d lend instant credibility to the Patriots’ front-seven, along with strong leadership. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

• DE J.J. Watt

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  The problem with courting Watt is he likely wants to go ring-chasing. So the Bucs, Packers, Chiefs, and Bills all present more attractive destinations for Super Bowl contention. But if Belichick aims to add an established veteran who would listen to the coaches, lead, command respect in the locker room, and produce on Sundays, Watt is an ideal fit for Foxborough. Belichick likely has a more affordable version of this type of free agent on his radar. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
• DE Shelby Harris

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  Since his stats have never jumped off the page, Harris may enter free agency underrated and undervalued. Perfect time for the Patriots to pounce. They could offer Harris a competitive contract without breaking the bank. And Harris would give the defensive line an instant playmaker who can defend both the run and the pass. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

• DT Kawann Short

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  One kind of free agent Bill Belichick should still be able to attract is an established veteran whose stock has fallen and who needs to get his career back on track. Short has missed 27 games over the past two seasons with shoulder troubles, but from 2014-18 he was one of the more disruptive defensive tackles in football. If all he can find is a one-year deal, his best bet may be to re-establish himself under Belichick’s coaching then go get paid again in 2022.

• LB Eric Wilson

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  Wilson has gone from undrafted to every-down linebacker over his first four years with the Vikings. The hard work is about to pay off for the 26-year-old, who should command a solid long-term deal. He won’t cost as much as the Lavonte Davids of the world and his best football may still be ahead of him. (Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
• LB De’Vondre Campbell

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  Campbell started his career as an outside linebacker but has since transitioned inside. He’s coming off one of his better seasons with the Cardinals, starting all 16 games and posting 99 total tackles (seven for loss). He’d be an instant upgrade to the Patriots’ run defense. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

• DE Derek Wolfe

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  We had Wolfe as a candidate to sign with the Patriots in 2020. He signed with Denver, while the Pats opted for Beau Allen. Wolfe is again on the open market and likely won’t get more than a one-year deal. He could end up like Allen did, or he could be a solid interior lineman in the Pats’ 3-4 looks. Wolfe is a better fit for roles they’ve tried with Deatrich Wise and Lawrence Guy in recent years. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

• DE Trent Murphy

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  Here’s an opportunity for Belichick to poach a nice player from the enemy. Murphy has the kind of size Belichick has loved at defensive end in the past (6-foot-6, 260 pounds). He managed eight combined sacks and QB hits in 2020, despite playing just 10 games and 32 percent of defensive snaps. He’d be a useful piece for a defensive line that has lacked a player of his type in recent years. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
• DE Solomon Thomas

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  This is a former third overall pick in the NFL Draft, so the upside is still there for the 25-year-old Thomas. But the Niners struggled to find a fit for him over his first four years and he never gained traction, leaving him with the dreaded “bust” label - in San Francisco, anyway. But for the Patriots, Thomas would represent a perfect opportunity to reshape him into something that works at the NFL level, and they’s do it for small money. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

• DB Desmond King

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  This list focuses more on the front-seven, but King is an interesting option for the secondary - and special teams. His versatility as a returner would be attractive to Belichick. He’s already brought in one versatile defensive back from the Chargers, why not another? (Harry How/Getty Images)

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Author Alex Barth

Category:

• News
• Patriots

Tags:

arizona cardinals,houston texans,JJ Watt,NFL