J.J Watt is a 3 time Defensive Player of the Year and he will be rushing the passer in a different city for the first time in 10 years. Here are Watt’s top suitors for the 2021 season.
I believe that a front runner to land Watt is the Green Bay Packers and as a Vikings fan, that is a frightening thought. I think that the Packers will release edge rusher Preston Smith to free up space to bring J.J Watt in. Watt is a Wisconsin native and transferred to the University of Wisconsin after playing tight end at Central Michigan.
There is a high chance that Watt will land on a team that is near Chicago because, Watt’s wife, Kealia Watt plays pro soccer for the Chicago Red Stars. The Packers are definitely an ideal fit for Watt to play near home and play near his wife.
I’ll throw Pittsburgh on this list because his two brothers play for the Steelers. The only issue I see with Watt to Pittsburgh is that they have limited cap space. Watt in Pittsburgh would elevate the Steelers defense to a whole new level from last year and they were great last year.
The only other flaw in Watt going to the Steel City is that Pittsburgh could still have Bud Dupree next season and will have Alex Highsmith in addition to T.J Watt so, where would J.J fit in the Steelers front seven?
I could picture Watt landing in the same division that he has played in the last 10 years with the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are another team that had a great defense last year and had a ferocious front seven. Putting Watt on the same defensive line as Justin Houston and DeForest Buckner would be a mismatch nightmare for offenses in the AFC South.
The Colts have cap room and Watt would be a great fit so this addition makes a ton of sense. Indianapolis is also very close to Chicago so, keep an eye on that aspect of the signing.
There are multiple teams with outside shots to land Watt like Baltimore, New England, Tennessee, and Tampa Bay. Watt could want to play for a contender so Baltimore and Tampa Bay would make lots of sense if he is willing to take less money but, I don’t see any of these spots as likely.
Seeing J.J Watt in a different uniform next season will be very weird but, man, it will be super exciting if he can stay healthy and return to his old form that won him three Defensive Player of the Year Awards.