Former Badger, current Houston Texan and future NFL Hall of Famer J.J. Watt has been through thick and thin with the Texans, with the 2020 season being one of his toughest to date.
A five-time Pro Bowler and five-time first-team All-Pro, Watt has already cemented his legacy as one of the best defensive ends of his era. What still eludes him, though, is a deep playoff run and a chance at a Super Bowl.
Related: Where each Badger assistant stands in the Big Ten recruiter rankings
Well, there were rumors last week that the 1-6 Texans could finally be moving Watt as they look to rebuild after firing head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien. Those rumors didn’t come to fruition, but according to a report today from CBSSports’ Jason La Canfora, it is a ‘virtual certainty’ that the former Badger will find a new home before the 2021 season.
JJ Watt's time in Houston is coming to a close https://t.co/annoVi3aGY
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) November 8, 2020
From La Canfora’s piece:
“While the Texans opted not to deal superstar JJ Watt at the trading deadline, numerous team and league sources believe it is a virtual certainty that he is gone next season, with the veteran adamant about finishing his career with a contender.
Watt, who turns 32 in March, has endured significant pain and injury to continue his career to this point and was among the players and coaches thoroughly worn-out by the tension-filled Bill O-Brien era (the coach/general manager was fired last month). His recent remarks about not wanting to endure ‘a rebuild,’ were sincere and, according to several sources who have spoken to him, if anything were soft.
‘It’s a wrap,’ said one source with knowledge of the situation. ‘He knows he only has so many games left and he is ready to go and try to win. The guys in that locker room are bracing for it.'”
Watt, now in his tenth NFL season, just surpassed 500 career tackles, though still sits just one sack short of 100.
The former Badger clearly has some juice left in the tank. And if you’re asking me, I don’t blame him for wanting to close his career with a contender.
Especially given what we’ve seen from the Texans in recent years, it’s time for Watt to get a shot at a Super Bowl instead of closing his career on a basement-dwelling team.