As the draft approaches Thursday, there’s a lot of speculation about what the Texans are going to do to replace quarterback Deshaun Watson. But what about replacing defensive end J.J. Watt, the most iconic player in franchise history?
A lot of Texans fans howl that it’s unfair Watson’s trade demand hasn’t been granted, considering Watt was given his release after meeting with the McNair family, which owns the franchise, before signing with Arizona.
That’s not a legitimate argument to make. Watt is 32, coming off a 16-game, five-sack season and might play another three years, depending on his health and productivity.
Watson, who’ll turn 26 in September, is one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, and he’s coming off the best season of his four-year career. Watson might play for another 13 or 14 years if he’s still active in his late 30s, as more quarterbacks are in today’s game that has rules designed to protect them, increase their production and put them in position to make hundreds of millions of dollars.
If not for the 22 civil suits accusing him of sexual harassment and assault, there was a good chance Watson would have been traded this week, joining Watt as former Texans with new zip codes.
Watt started 16 games last season — the second time in the last three seasons he’s started every game — and his departure left a gaping hole on the left side of the Texans’ defense under new coordinator Lovie Smith.
Watt, who played a base 3-4 defense under coordinators Romeo Crennel, Mike Vrabel and Anthony Weaver, would have given Smith versatility in his 4-3. Watt can play inside or outside as well as either side.
Watt’s effort in practice and games would have impressed Smith, coach David Culley and the new assistants. It’s their loss they won’t get to witness that Herculean work ethic.
Watt’s last great season as a pass rusher was 2018, when he had 16 sacks playing across from Jadeveon Clowney. Bill O’Brien traded Clowney, who had nine sacks in that 11-5 season, to Seattle. The Texans were unable to generate the same kind of pressure the last two seasons without disruptive players on each side.
One reason Watt signed with the Cardinals, who gave him $28 million over two years and a chance to add another $3 million based on reaching 10 sacks, was to play opposite defensive end Chandler Jones.
Before suffering a season-ending torn biceps injury in the first game of 2020, Jones had a string of six consecutive seasons with double-digit sacks, including 19 in 2019.
Jones, 31, is like Watt — healthy and eager to prove they can be the most productive pass-rush twosome in the NFL.
To help replace Watt and to benefit Smith’s switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3, general manager Nick Caserio has acquired seven defensive linemen, including who signed as free agents. Expect 3-4 outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Jacob Martin to move to end, where there will be no shortage of candidates to start in Watt’s place.
No matter what Caserio is able to do when he acquires linemen in drafts, trades and free agency, he’s never going to find another J.J. Watt.
Watt and Andre Johnson are the best players in franchise history. Shortly after Watt retires, the McNair family will bring him back to Houston and have him join Johnson and late owner Bob McNair in the Texans’ Ring of Honor at NRG Stadium.
Can you imagine how loud that ovation will be from more than 70,000 fans?
No player has meant more to the franchise than Watt — on and off the field. His contributions to charities are legendary, including raising more than $40 million in 2017 for Hurricane Harvey relief.
But no matter what Watt accomplished away from football, including recognition as the NFL’s 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year, it was his achievements on the field that set him apart and should get him elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot five years after he retires.
No player has won more NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards than Watt, who was honored after the 2012, 2014 and 2015 seasons. Lawrence Taylor and now Aaron Donald also have three.
During a four-year period (2012-15), Watt averaged 17 sacks and 30 tackles for loss. His memorable 2014 season included three touchdown catches in goal-line situations. He returned three interceptions for touchdowns, including one in the team’s first playoff game.
Watt’s arrival in 2011 enabled new coordinator Wade Phillips to make him the cornerstone of the defense. The Texans won their first AFC South title and their first playoff game under coach Gary Kubiak.
Over the next nine years, Watt would help the Texans win the division six times. They also won four playoff games before the team collapsed last season, firing O’Brien after an 0-4 start that ended with a 4-12 record.
Watt told us he didn’t want to be part of a rebuild this late in his career, and who could blame him? He came back from two back operations, a broken leg and a torn pectoral that interrupted three seasons. He deserved to leave on his terms.
Watt handled his exit gracefully, and Cal McNair did the right thing by granting him his release so he could choose his next and probably his last team.
I don’t know about you, but when the NFL releases the 2021 schedule on May 12, the first game I’ll look for is the Texans’ game at Arizona.
If the Texans have to appear on national television, their game against the Cardinals will attract the most interest. Watt and receiver DeAndre Hopkins playing against the team that drafted them. It’ll be the most intriguing and fascinating game of 2020.
Like Hopkins, Watt will be missed, but his legendary career with the Texans will never be forgotten.
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