Cowboys Should Pursue Texans Legend J.J. Watt
HOUSTON - It was always a possibility for the Houston Texans. Now, it's a reality. And we can make the argument that a pursuit of J.J. Watt should now be a Dallas Cowboys reality.
Houston is releasing three-time Defensive Player of the Year Watt from the team after 10 years with the franchise. Watt, 31, now will have the option to sign with any team in 2021.
The Texans will now save $17.5 million in cap space from the fallout.
Watt took to social media to speak to the city of Houston. According to his side, the former first-rounder asked the McNair family for his release instead of to be traded. Ownership always could have tried to package a deal for him this offseason, but instead, they respected his wishes.
READ MORE: J.J. Watt Says 'Goodbye' To Houston
Enter Dallas ... and any other bidder.
Watt returning Returning to his home state of Wisconsin to hook up with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers? Watt moving to the Pittsburgh Steelers to join his two brothers on that roster?
Those are sensible paths. And as always, the audience should wonder if the media will attach Watt’s to the Cowboys simply as a headline grab. But Dallas is coming off one of its worst defensive Effort ever. And Watt was still Houston’s most effective defensive player despite missing eight games the year prior.
Those two factors alone make this worth investigating. The question will on the asking price compared more team-friendly deals? Everything is bigger in Texas, why not remain here?
A fun note: DeMarcus Lawrence is already campaigning on social media for the move.
A sobering note: As Fish reports above, the Dak Prescott contract situation could cause a clog in any progress Dallas tries to make with any signing.
Watt entered the NFL with the 11th overall pick back in 2011 as an unknown. Since then, he's become the face of the organization and perhaps the biggest name in Houston sports history. From the go, he single-handily helped a defensive unit transform from one of the league's worst to one of the league's best for the next decade.
Watt will finish his time in Houston with playing in 128 games, tallying 503 total tackles, 282 quarterback hits, 101 sacks, 25 forced fumbles, 16 fumble recoveries, two interceptions and two defensive touchdown. Watt also played a tad offense, finishing with four total catches for three touchdowns.
He was a five-time All-Pro, a five time Pro-Bowl selection and named the Walter Payton Man of the Year following the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Dallas' defensive front was one of the leagues-worst in 2020 under Mike Nolan. The team finished 23rd in total defense, 31st in run support and 11th in pass coverage. The Cowboys also finished 21st in total sacks with 31 on the year.
The Texans finished last season 4-12 following the firing of Bill O'Brien. Now, they will try to begin fresh with new head coach David Culley.
Watt will look for a place where he can contend - a sales pitch the Dallas Cowboys should be prepared to make.
