All-Pro defensive lineman and face-of-the-NFL, JJ Watt, announced on Monday afternoon that he has signed with the Arizona Cardinals. The deal, per multiple reports, is worth $31 million over two years.
Watt broke the news on his Twitter page, showing a picture of himself squatting in his home gym with a Cardinals t-shirt on. The caption read: “Source: me.”
The fall of the Texans further continues as the franchise continues to purge its stars after firing head coach and GM Bill O’Brien midseason before hiring Nick Caserio to the GM position and David Culley as head coach.
Before the start of the 2020 season, they made the shock decision to trade one of the top wide receivers in the game, DeAndre Hopkins, to the very same Cardinals where Watt is headed to reunite with his former teammate.
Franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson also is pushing for a trade out of town after a falling out with management where he wanted to have some input on the hiring of the franchise’s new leadership.
In 10 years in Houston, Watt accrued 101 sacks, which ranks 31st all-time in NFL history. He picked up five first-team All-Pro honors and five Pro Bowl selections. He also led the NFL in sacks twice, posting 20.5 in 2012 and 17.5 in 2015.
He now joins a Cardinals team that is on the rise with young quarterback Kyler Murray and a dangerous passing attack that is headlined by Hopkins, Chase Edmonds, Christian Kirk, and potentially Larry Fitzgerald should the legendary pass-catcher decide not to retire.
Watt will reunite with former Texans defensive backs coach, Vance Joseph, who is working as the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator. He’ll line up alongside Chandler Jones, who has led the NFL with 97 sacks since his debut in 2012. Watt has 95.5 sacks during that same stretch, creating a fearsome pass rush.
This story first appeared on AMNY.com
