Former Houston Texan J.J. Watt has found his new NFL team.
It is not any of the contenders rumored to be in the running.
Instead, he chose the Arizona Cardinals.
From NFL Now: JJ Watt lands with the #AZCardinals. All that it means… pic.twitter.com/fox43yb34R
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2021
Why Arizona?
Watt said that he wanted to sign with a contender.
Arizona went 8-8 last year.
Watt also said the supporting cast and starting quarterback would be factors in his decision.
There are some Houston ties in Arizona.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, was Watt’s teammate with the Texans from 2013-2019.
On the defensive side of the ball, Watt knows Arizona’s defensive coordinator well.
Vance Joseph was the defensive backs coach in Houston from 2011-2013.
Then, there is the starting quarterback.
Watt must have confidence in Kyler Murray.
Murray, the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner, just finished his second season in Arizona.
He threw for 3,971 yards with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The Contract
Watt’s contract is reportedly a two year $31 million deal.
$23 million of the money is guaranteed.
The Other Contenders
The guys at @pointsbetusa allowed fans to bet on where @jjwatt would go.
Options: Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, New England, Buffalo, Miami, Cleveland and Tennessee.
Arizona? NOT ON THE BOARD!!
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 1, 2021
There was a lot of talk about Chicago, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Tennessee, and Cleveland.
Arizona is for all practical purposes a complete surprise.
What JJ Watt Brings To The Cardinals
Watt is the epitome of leadership and work ethic.
He will be a great leader in the locker room.
The question has always been how much football does he have left in his soon-to-be 32 year old body.
With a 17 game regular season on the horizon for the first time ever in 2021, we are about to find out.
Will This Bring Larry Fitzgerald Back For 2021?
Speaking of leadership and work ethic, Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald has been quiet about his 2021 plans.
Fitzgerald will be 38 by the time the season kicks off.
By this time last year, Fitzgerald announced that he was coming back.
So far, he has been silent.
Perhaps bringing Watt in will hasten Fitzgerald’s decision to return.
One thing is for sure, the Arizona Cardinals will be on a lot more fans’ radars in 2021 to see if the JJ Watt experiment is a success.
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