J.J. Watt says Texans’ title contention window is ‘very real and legitimate’

Houston Texans legendary defensive end J.J. Watt thinks his old team can compete for a championship this season.

J.J. Watt is very high on his former team.

The legendary defensive end called the Houston Texans “a team on the rise” after they rose from the bottom of the AFC South to the top and made the AFC divisional round. Even more, Watt told the Houston Chronicle’s Greg Rajan the Texans are already at the point where they can compete for championships.

“I would say from an outsider’s perspective, they’re ahead of schedule,” Watt said. “… I think they do have to approach this as this is a very real and legitimate window.”

What comes next is entirely up to the team, though.

They have a lot of in-house free agents but the third-most salary cap space. There are needs across the roster, too, such as a running back, backup wide receiver and various other positions depending on who the team keeps ahead of free agency. And then there’s the draft, where the Texans hold the No. 23 overall pick a year after general manager Nick Caserio hit it big with Derek Stingley Jr. in 2022 and then C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson and Tank Dell in 2023.

But the success of this past season makes Houston an enviable location for new talent, according to Watt. He called the Texans “a destination” for players now.

“Players are going to want to play for [head coach] DeMeco Ryans. Players are going to want to play with a C.J. Stroud-led team,” Watt said. “And they see what’s being built down there and we all know in the NFL, if you have a phenomenal quarterback on a rookie deal, that sets you up for success.”

The AFC is littered with competitors, though, as evidenced by the Kansas City Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl wins, the Baltimore Ravens dismantling of this Texans team in the divisional round and the always-contending Buffalo Bills.

The window to win is there, but now it’s on the Texans to jump through it wholeheartedly.

3 former Texans make Peter King’s all-time 53-man roster

NBC Sports’ Peter King listed his top 53 players and included three who played for the Houston Texans.

NBC Sports’ Peter King has covered 40 seasons of the NFL. He’s seen the best players begin their careers, reach their peaks and eventually exit the league.

As such, he’s put together a list of his all-time 53-man roster of every player he’s covered during his career. King caveated that he only included players whose careers weren’t half over yet. It’s an expansive list that includes a lot of NFL legends and Hall-of-Famers.

Three former Texans stars made the roster, too: defensive end J.J. Watt, safety Tyrann Mathieu and punter Shane Lechler.

King named Watt as his lone “hybrid” player on the defensive line because of Watt’s versatility. He also put Watt in the same tier of player as Hall-of-Fame and two-time Defensive Player of the Year defensive end Reggie White – right behind Lawrence Taylor.

“I put Watt in White’s league for many reasons, but there’s this: In 2014, I think Watt had the best season by a defender in my 40 seasons,” King wrote. “[Watt had] 20.5 sacks, 29 tackles for loss, three receiving touchdowns (as a short-yardage tight end (kudos, Bill O’Brien)), a fumble returned for touchdown, an interception returned for touchdown (80 yards), and a safety in 1,132 snaps played. Talk about no time off.”

The reasoning makes sense as well when you consider Watt won Defensive Player of the Year three times from 2012 to 2015 during his decade in Houston. The only defensive players to win DPOY that many times are Taylor and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who are both also on King’s roster. Watt also finished his career with five Pro Bowls and five All-Pro nods.

Mathieu also made the list as King’s third safety. While he only played one season in Houston, Mathieu became one of the best players at his position since he was taken in the third round by the Arizona Cardinals in 2013. He tallied an interception, a fumble recovery and recorded five tackles in his Texans debut and finished with 89 combined tackles, three sacks and two interceptions as a 16-game starter.

King called Lechler the best punter he’s ever seen after 18 NFL seasons – 13 with the then-Oakland Raiders and five with the Texans. Lechler made seven Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams during his career, although none were in Houston. He was still solid with the Texans, though, and actually had a higher net yards per punt average in Houston than he did in Oakland and a higher percentage of punts inside the 20-yard line.

While all of these players rightfully made the list, that was the old Texans. This new regime, led by head coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio, got off to a fast start in 2023 with an AFC South title and a playoff win.

C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. are foundational pieces for the next era in Houston, and could perhaps be added to similar lists when their careers are beginning to wrap up in the distance future.

Texans legend J.J. Watt showers DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud with praise

Former Houston Texans defensive J.J. Watt believes Ryans and Stroud can deliver excellence for awhile.

The future is looking bright in Houston.

Following a rise from the bottom of the AFC South to the top, the Texans look like a team with a ton of potential with former player and now head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud at the helm. They advanced to the divisional round of the AFC playoffs, too, after a big win over the Cleveland Browns but ran into a buzzsaw that is the Baltimore Ravens a week later.

Former Texans legend J.J. Watt concurred in an interview with SB Nation’s  Nick Schwager. Watt had nothing but positive things to say about his former team and former Texans teammate after the 2023 season.

“I think it’s an incredibly exciting time to be a Texans fan,” Watt said. “Obviously, DeMeco did an unbelievable job with that team. And any of us who knew DeMeco, knew exactly what he was going to do, and what he’s capable of, because who he is as a person, and also who he is as a football mind. He’s brilliant. He also has the ability to communicate and get his message across to players extremely well.

“And then you add in a quarterback like C.J., who not only has all the physical skills and talent to do everything on the field, but he also has the maturity and the leadership to handle that locker room to do everything the right way, along with in the locker room publicly and in his press conferences.”

The Texans have one of the youngest cores with Stroud and wide receivers Tank Dell and Nico Collins on offense with defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and cornerback Derek Stingely on defense. And with the third-most projected salary cap space in 2024 and the No. 23 pick in the NFL draft, Houston could fortify positions of need as it heads into next season.

But it all starts at the top with Ryans and Stroud. That duo proved to be key to the Texans’ quick rise in the league this past season, and their continued success will rely on Stroud’s prowess in the pocket and Ryans’ skill from the sideline. Houston could lose one of its top offensive assistants in Bobby Slowik or Jerrod Johnson, but Ryans showed he knows how to hire a good staff and would certainly be able to do it again if necessary.

“It’s a great combination, DeMeco and C.J.,” Watt added. “That organization is in good hands for a long time.”

Watt did stray far from the Texans after he officially retired after the 2023 season. He mentored Anderson throughout the year and was inducted into the Texans Ring of Honor earlier this year following a 10-year career in Houston from 2011 to 2020. He made five Pro Bowl and All-Pro rosters and was named Defensive Player of the Year three times.

Twitter reacts to the Texans’ 22-17 win over the Broncos

Here are some of the best tweets from the Houston Texans’ 22-17 win over the Denver Broncos.

The Houston Texans are young and learning how to win close ballgames, which will no doubt help to reinforce the culture with new coach DeMeco Ryans.

Take Week 13 against the Denver Broncos. Houston safety Jimmie Ward picked off quarterback Russell Wilson on a third-and-goal from the 8-yard line to seal the deal 22-17. In a pivotal matchup of two 6-5 teams vying for AFC wild-card positioning, Houston’s youngsters came away with victory rather than Denver’s cavalcade of experienced veterans, and coaching to boot.

As usual Twitter was full of takes and comments regarding the action. Here are some of the best remarks.

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J.J. Watt puzzled by Texans LB Denzel Perryman 3-game suspension

Former Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt is puzzled as to the type of suspension the NFL laid upon LB Denzel Perryman.

 

J.J. Watt may not play for the Houston Texans any longer, but expect the former All-Pro to constantly side the organization that enshrined him in its Ring of Honor.

Watt took to social media Tuesday to pose rhetorical questions surrounding the three-game suspension without pay of Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman for repeated health and safety violations of in-game rules.

“‘Six violations throughout his career,’ Watt tweeted from the suspension notice. “He’s played in the league for 8 years! 6 penalties in 102 games means you deserve to be suspended 3 games without pay?”

Perryman’s first such penalty came in Week 9 in the 39-37 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Perryman provided the Texans with five combined tackles and two tackles for loss in Houston’s 30-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

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Texans DE Will Anderson says J.J. Watt ‘has been a good mentor’

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson says Ring of Honor member J.J. Watt has been beneficial to his early development.

While Will Anderson may come from a storied college football program in Alabama that has its own vast alumni network, the defensive end chooses to acknowledge the Houston Texans’ history.

The most dominant defensive end since 2011 was J.J. Watt, garnering three NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in his 128 career games with the Texans through the 2020 campaign. It didn’t take long for Anderson to make the connection that the former face of the franchise needed to be among his counsel.

“J.J. has been a good mentor for me so far,” Anderson told reporters following Houston’s 30-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers Oct. 1. “I’m going to start sending him some more clips so I can get some more help. ”

Anderson finished with two combined tackles as the Texans limited the Steelers to 225 yards total offense and 12 first downs.

Nevertheless as the pursuit for greatness continues, so should constant communication with a possible first ballot Hall-of-Famer.

Said Anderson: “He’s been good. Honestly, it’s a privilege and a blessing to have someone like J.J. to communicate with and help out. What he has done in the league, what he has done for the Houston Texans is unbelievable.”

When Watt addressed the Texans ahead of their Week 4 matchup with the Steelers, Anderson identified with one particular aspect of the message.

“‘Don’t take anything for granted. You’re here in the NFL,'” Anderson recalled. “Not a lot of people can say that, and I think that resonated with a lot of the guys.”

Anderson has collected 15 combined tackles, 1.0 sack, a tackle for loss, five quarterback hits, and a blocked field goal in his four games with Houston.

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Stroud big game preserves J.J. Watt enshrinement; Texans beat Steelers 30-6

Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud was stellar, ensuring J.J. Watt’s Ring of Honor enshrinement was not spoiled against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

C.J. Stroud notched his second game with 300-plus passing yards as the Houston Texans preserved the enshrinement of former defensive end J.J. Watt with a 30-6 victory Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.

The Texans inducted the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year at halftime into the team’s ring of honor. Stroud’s 306 passing yards and two touchdowns were bulwarks that ensured no Houston fan would go home disappointed.

Stroud went 16-of-30 with a 111.2 passer rating and took no sacks. The No. 2 overall pick also extended his streak to 151 attempts without an interception to start a career, padding an existing NFL record.

WATCH: J.J. Watt and T.J. Watt embrace ahead of Texans vs. Steelers

Brothers J.J. Watt and T.J. Watt embraced ahead of the Houston Texans versus Pittsburgh Steelers matchup in Week 4 at NRG Stadium.

Although the Pittsburgh Steelers and T.J. Watt are playing spoiler to the Houston Texans and former defensive end J.J. Watt’s big day, there was an opportunity for brotherly love inside NRG Stadium.

During pregame warmups, the outside linebacker and youngest of the three Watt brothers met with his oldest brother on the sidelines. J.J. and T.J. embraced and then blended in with the ensemble Watt family — including former fullback Derek — to take pictures.

The only time the brothers Watt faced each other in a game was Week 3, 2020, at then-Heinz Field. The Steelers prevailed 28-21. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year may want an opposite outcome on the day he is to be enshrined into the Texans Ring of Honor at halftime.

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Texans vs. Steelers live blog: 30-6 Houston, FINAL

Follow along for all of the action as the Houston Texans take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4.

There will be a football game inside NRG Stadium, but much of the excitement surrounding the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers Week 4 tilt involves J.J. Watt.

The former three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and face of the franchise is going into the Texans Ring of Honor at halftime. If a burgeoning team with a talented rookie quarterback can’t fill up NRG Stadium, this might at least for one afternoon.

No doubt Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt would love to spoil his big brother’s homecoming. Given the lesser Watt leads the NFL with 6.0 sacks and Houston has Austin Deculus, Geron Christian, and George Fant as tackles, it might not be far fetched.

How to watch

Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans — Sunday, Oct. 1, 12:00 p.m. CT

TV channel: KHOU-TV

Live stream: FuboTV

Radio: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM), Mega 101 (KLOL-FM) (Marc Vandermeer & Andre Ware)

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Forecast: Mostly sunny, 85 degrees, 12 mph wind (indoors)

Follow the @TheTexansWire and the crew (@therealmarklane, @BigSargeSportz, @chrisnallsnfl @JohnHCrumpler)

 

Pregame

There aren’t too many surprises with the inactives as the Texans had to use five of those spots for injuries.

The brothers Watt were spotted embracing on the field.

 

First quarter

15:00 — The Texans get the ball first.

11:07 — Houston’s offense is dealing as they have driven 58 yards in seven plays down to the Steelers’ 12-yard line. However, they have to use their first timeout ahead of a second-and-9 from the 11.

10:29 — “I like a quarterback run here, even a draw,” Texans Radio commentator Andre Ware said. Well, that is what happened on third-and-3 from the Steelers’ 5-yard line as QB C.J. Stroud seemingly rushed for a touchdown. However, the play went under further review. Either way, Stroud picked up the first down at the 1-inch line.

10:15 — RG Shaq Mason commits a false start.

10:13 — Stroud hits RB Dameon Pierce for a 5-yard touchdown, but Mason gets dinged for ineligible man downfield to nullify the touchdown.

8:58 — Stroud connects with WR Nico Collins for a 2-yard touchdown. Extra point from K Ka’imi Fairbairn is good. Texans, 7-0

8:16 — QB Kenny Pickett scrambles eight yards on third-and-7 from the Steelers’ 22-yard line.

6:22 — Pickett sneaks for one on third-and-1 from the Steelers’ 39.

5:43 — DE Jerry Hughes sacks Pickett for an 8-yard loss on first-and-10 from the Steelers’ 40.

1:23 — Fairbairn hits a 36-yard field goal. Texans, 10-0

 

Second quarter

15:00 — Houston can expect a punt as the Steelers will begin the quarter facing a third-and-8 from their own 27-yard line.

14:52 — Although OT Austin Deculus started at left tackle, the Texans substitute OT Geron Christian.

12:13 — The Texans flub again in the red zone, but Fairbairn nails a 38-yard field goal. Texans, 13-0

10:51 — Houston turns the Steelers offense three-and-out again as Pickett throws incomplete on third-and-8 from their own 23.

7:09 — The Texans called their second timeout ahead of a fourth-and-inches from the Pittsburgh 28-yard line. The plan: Stroud throws incomplete for TE Andrew Beck, turnover on downs.

5:13 — On a third-and-8 from the Steelers’ 42, Pickett hits RB Jaylen Warren for seven yards.

4:26 — As an homage to some of the offenses J.J. Watt had to suffer with, TE Brevin Jordan commits a false start on first-and-10 from the Texans’ 20-yard line.

2:10 — Stroud can’t connect with Collins on third-and-5 from the Houston 45.

1:33 — The Texans would have had a big one. CB Shaquill Griffin intercepted Pickett at the Steelers’ 38-yard line. However, Griffin was dinged for defensive pass interference at the Pittsburgh 20-yard line.

1:24 — DE Jonathan Greenard sacks Pickett for a loss of four on second-and-5 from the Pittsburgh 40, compelling the Steelers to use their first timeout.

1:19 — The Texans get the Steelers off the field, but DT Maliek Collins commits defensive offsides on a third-and-9 from the Pittsburgh 36.

1:15 — Now it’s the Steelers’ turn to take a ticket as TE Pat Freiermuth commits offensive pass interference on third-and-4.

1:06 — On third-and-14 from the Steelers’ 31, Pickett dumps off to Freiermuth for nine yards. The Texans call their final timeout of the half.

0:04 — Fairbairn hits a 39-yard field goal, capping off a drive were Stroud led Houston 57 yards in five plays with no timeouts. Texans, 16-0

 

Halftime

Stats

TEXANS

Stroud: 10/20, 179 yards, TD; 3 carries, 15 yards

Pierce: 14 carries, 61 yards; 1 catch, 27 yards

Collins: 4 catches, 78 yards, TD

Nelson: 2 tackles, INT, PD

 

STEELERS

Pickett: 9/14, 35 yards, INT; 2 carries, 9 yards

Najee Harris: 5 carries, 16 yards

Warren: 4 catches, 16 yards

 

Third quarter

9:35 — The Steelers get off to a better start with the opening possession of the second half. K Chris Boswell hits a 35-yard field goal to cap off a 10-play, 58-yard drive. Texans, 16-3

8:54 — On third-and-6 from the Houston 29, Stroud gets dinged with an intentional grounding. Houston’s first drive of the second half is a three-and-out.

7:17 — On a third-and-4 from the Houston 40, Pickett hits Harris for 32 yards down to the 8-yard line, first-and-goal.

5:54 — On third-and-goal from the 5-yard line, Pickett misses WR Allen Robinson.

5:49 — Boswell hits a 23-yard field goal. Texans, 16-6

4:54 — The Texans were able to pick up at least one first down with WR Tank Dell getting a quick hitter for 16 yards on the first play. However, the drive stalls on third-and-9 from the Texans’ 42 as Stroud’s pass for WR Robert Woods falls incomplete.

2:45 — Circle this one. On first-and-10 from the Houston 42, S Jalen Pitre hits Warren just as he’s about to take the handoff from Pickett, causing a fumble. Pickett falls on the ball at the 50 for an 8-yard loss.

1:58 — After an incomplete second down pass, Pickett hits WR George Pickens for 17 on third-and-18 from the 50. The Steelers call timeout facing a fourth-and-1 from the Houston 33.

1:16 — Greenard sacks Pickett for a 9-yard loss. Pickett is grabbing his left knee.

0:14 — Stroud hits Collins for 24 yards up to the Pittsburgh 35 for the last play of the quarter.

 

Fourth quarter

13:41 — On third-and-11 from the Pittsburgh 36, Stroud hits Collins for 14 yards.

10:54 — The Texans show a little razzle-dazzle as RB Singletary throws a 6-yard touchdown pass for TE Dalton Schultz. Extra point is good. Texans, 23-6

10:44 — QB Mitch Trubisky is in at quarterback as Pickett has been ruled out.

4:51 — LG Kendrick Green was injured and needed assistance off the field.

3:46 — On third-and-7 from the Houston 48, Stroud finds Collins for a 52-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. Texans, 30-6

0:00 — The Texans are now 3-0 when putting one of their own in the Ring of Honor. Coverage all night at Texans Wire.