When the Houston Texans released J.J. Watt last month, Rams fans began exploring ways Les Snead could bring him to Los Angeles. With limited cap space, it was always unlikely the Rams would land the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Watt announced on Monday that he’ll be coming to the NFC West, just not with the Rams. Instead, he’s signing with the Arizona Cardinals, earning a two-year deal worth $31 million from the Rams’ rival.
The contract comes with $23 million guaranteed, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, and pairs Watt with former NFL sacks leader Chandler Jones.
So yeah, Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein will have their hands full in their two meetings with the Cardinals next season.
source: me. pic.twitter.com/1Y6okQBUy5
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 1, 2021
Watt is still a very capable pass rusher, hitting the quarterback 17 times last season to go along with five sacks and 14 tackles for loss. He was an All-Pro in 2018, forcing a league-high seven fumbles and recording 16 sacks in 16 games.
The Cardinals are already on the rise with Kyler Murray, but now their defense just got a big boost with the arrival of Watt.
Now Aaron Donald has company as another three-time Defensive Player of the Year has joined the NFC West.