Packers: JJ Watt is Released but GB Faces Up Hill Battle Signing him

Just as everyone anticipated, the Houston Texans have released JJ Watt. This morning, Watt released a video on Twitter, thanking the Houston fans as he let everyone know that he and the Texans mutually agreed to part ways.

As Houston tries to navigate an offseason where their star quarterback Deshaun Watson wants out, they were able to save $17.5 million by moving on from Watt while he still had one year left on his deal.

At one time, Watt was the most dominant defender in the NFL, being named a five-time All-Pro and three-time Defensive Player of the year.

However, he’s battled injuries as of late, playing less than eight games in three of his last five seasons. Although in 2018, he tallied 16 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and 25 tackles for loss.

Most recently, in 2020, Watt did start all 16 games and totaled five sacks, 45 pressures, two forced fumbles, an interception, and 14 tackles for loss.

Now a free agent, Watt has the opportunity to sign wherever he pleases. So, of course, Green Bay Packers fans are giddy at the idea of him coming to Titletown.

But is Green Bay a realistic landing spot?

Watt is a Wisconsin native, as we all know, playing college ball at the University of Wisconsin and growing up a Packers fan. In addition to playing for his hometown team, Green Bay also provides him the opportunity to win a Super Bowl.

However, we also have to discuss the financial side of things and that’s where all of this gets tricky.

With the salary cap drop this offseason, the Green Bay Packers aren’t exactly in a position to be spending big money. In fact, they have to cut roughly $30 million before the new league year begins.

This isn’t to say they won’t make any free agent signings, but if Watt commands a high dollar amount, he is going to be out of their price range.

As Zach Kruse of Packers Wire points out, landing Watt would likely require a heavily backloaded contract so that Green Bay can stay under the salary cap this season. But even so, Watt would likely still be taking some sort of discount.

Perhaps Watt is willing to take a less lucrative deal to have a chance to win, but remember, the Green Bay Packers aren’t the only team who can afford him that opportunity. And it’s also worth noting that both his brothers are playing together in Pittsburgh at the moment.

Now, having said all of that, it’s not impossible for the Packers to sign Watt, I mean, this is going to be an unusual offseason after all and there is that hometown connection—or at least nearby connection. So who knows how it’s going to play out. But step one for the Green Bay Packers is getting under the projected $180 million salary cap before they can sign Watt or make any other addition for that matter.