Odds J.J. Watt Lands with Detroit Lions
The Houston Texans are among the least desirable organizations for NFL players following a rocky 2020 season.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson has made it clear that he wants out of Houston, after the organization failed to keep him informed during their general manager and head coaching searches.
On Friday morning, star Texans defensive end J.J. Watt took to social media to share that he had met with ownership and asked for his release.
© Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
“I wanted to do this on video, as opposed to putting out a statement or doing a press conference or anything like that, because I want you guys to hear it directly from me," Watt said. "I want to speak directly to you and the city of Houston, so you can hear the words straight from my mouth.
“I have sat down with the McNair family, and I have asked them for my release. And we have mutually agreed to part ways at this time.”
While it is natural to assume that Watt would be a perfect addition to jumpstart the rebuild of Detroit's struggling defense, there must be some things pointed out before he ends up ever playing at Ford Field.
USA Today recently listed 10 organizations that could be a potential landing spot for the veteran defensive lineman and Detroit was not on the list.
Among the teams listed were the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans.
"By forfeiting what would have been a $17.5 million non-guaranteed salary in 2021 with Friday's release -- a move that simultaneously helps extricate Houston from its salary-cap issues -- Watt has the freedom to sign with any team immediately, rather than wait for the start of NFL free agency March 17, when the contracts of pending free agents officially expire," Nate Davis writes.
The odds of Watt landing in Detroit: A measly five percent.
More from SI All Lions:
Lions Mock Draft Roundup: A Look at Interesting Trades
Lions in Attendance for Trevor Lawrence Workout
Matthew and Kelly Stafford's Gift to Detroit
Lynn Believes T.J. Hockenson Has 'Even Higher' Ceiling
Glenn: 'We Don't Need a Lot of Thinking Out There'
Stafford: 'We'll Never Forget Detroit'
Get the latest Detroit Lions news by joining our community. Click "Follow" at the top right of our SI All Lions page. Mobile users click the notification bell. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @DetroitPodcast.
