Report: Bills, J.J. Watt have mutual interest

There is reportedly mutual interest between the Buffalo Bills, DE JJ Watt.

The Bills are an intriguing idea… according to a report on JJ Watt’s camp on Wednesday.

Watt, 31, was released by the Texans last week. The Bills were quickly reported as one of four teams interested in adding him… and that could be a shared feeling.

According to ESPN’s Kimberley Martin, the “interest is definitely mutual,” in regard to Watt’s thoughts on potentially signing in Buffalo.

In the first-referenced update, the Bills were joined by the Steelers, Titans and Browns as teams that showed interest him initially. In terms of the other three, earlier this week a report in Cleveland said something similar to the Buffalo update. Per Cleveland.com, Watt was “seriously considering” joining the Browns as of Tuesday.

No timetable has surfaced in regard to when Watt might make his decision, but he can do so at any time as he already is a free agent. He does not have to wait until free agency opens on March 17 to sign with a new team.

On Buffalo, the Bills defense showed a serious need for an additional pass rusher in 2021, and Watt, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, could be part of that solution. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott also has employed a rotation along his defensive line in his scheme each season in charge. That could appeal to Watt.

While the defender is potentially past his prime, he has still fared well in recent seasons regardless of such rotation. Despite a brutal 2020 season as a team for the Texans, Watt still ranked as Pro Football Focus’ seventh-best edge defender last year.

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