At 1-6 on the season and after firing head coach Bill O’Brien, the Houston Texans are going nowhere fast. It led to a ton of trade rumors surrounding the team leading up to Tuesday’s deadline. Regardless of whether they were legitimate, said rumors included future Hall of Fame pass rusher J.J. Watt.
In talking about the situation his Texans currently find themselves in, Watt provided a rather interesting quote to the media earlier in the week.
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Is J.J. Watt looking to move on from the Texans?
“I don’t think it’s any secret that I don’t have 10 years left in this league,” Watt said. “I personally believe that I do have a few more great ones left in me. But, you also can’t. I’m not looking to rebuild. I’m looking to go after a championship, and that’s what I want to do. So, whatever is in the best interest of the Houston Texans, that’s in the best interest of myself.”
At 31 years old, it stands to reason that Watt would not want to be part of a long-term rebuild with the Houston Texans. Injuries have caught up to the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year in recent seasons. He missed half of the 2019 campaign with a torn pectoral muscle.
The issue here for Watt and his Houston Texans is the fact that they don’t seem prepared to compete in the AFC South over the short term.
Houston Texans’ status as a rebuilding team could lead to J.J. Watt departing the organization
In addition to posting a 1-6 record this season, the Texans don’t have either their first or second-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.
They are also not in a great cap situation after former head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien handed out some ridiculous contracts. The writing certainly seems to be on the wall for a Watt departure from the Texans.
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J.J. Watt contract: It’s an albatross
The five-time All-Pro performer is currently playing under a six-year, $100 million contract. He’s set to count a whopping $17.5 million against the cap next season.
Any team looking to trade for Watt would likely ask that he restructures his contract in the form of a contract extension. That’s only magnified due to the financial complexities around the NFL in the age of COVID-19.
Thus far this season, Watt has recorded six quarterback hits, three passes defended and three sacks in seven games. Those are not the numbers we’ve been accustomed to when it comes to one of the greatest players in Houston Texans franchise history.