Lost in all of the drama of the Houston Texans hiring a new general manager, a new coach, and alienating their franchise quarterback along the way is the status of their face of the franchise.
Defensive end J.J. Watt is entering the last year of his contract. While the Texans are on the hook for $17.5 million in 2021, the money is not guaranteed — meaning, the Texans can cut bait and not count as dead money against their 2021 salary cap.
NFL Network insiders Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday that the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year is looking for clarity when it comes to his future with the Texans.
Have we seen the last of J.J. Watt in a Texans uniform?
@RapSheet & @MikeGarafolo, on what they’ve heard from Houston… pic.twitter.com/mnVRHmfOn4— GMFB (@gmfb) January 30, 2021
James Palmer from the NFL Network, whose beat is primarily the Texans, chimed in on Twitter and added that teammates and coaches believe Watt, 31, played his last game for Houston on Jan. 3 in the 41-38 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
The belief with teammates and coaches I’ve spoken to is that Watt has played his last game as a Texan. A few told me that was the mood in the locker room after their final game. https://t.co/vBsrflwyf4
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 30, 2021
“There’s too many unknowns to really know,” Watt said after the game on if it was his last with the Texans. “But if it is, I really — it’s unfortunate that it wasn’t in front of a full stadium and all the fans, and it’s unfortunate it wasn’t a win, it’s unfortunate it was in this type of a season. But who knows.
“Like I said, there’s a lot of unknowns. But I think this city knows, I hope they know how I feel about them and how thankful I am. I’ve tried to do everything I possibly can and give everything I possibly have.”
The Texans will have to provide clarity for Watt before free agency starts so as to give him a head start on landing with a new team. Houston could also trade him or restructure his contract and give him a long-term deal that ensures he finishes his career with the Texans.