What happened to J.J. Watt? Why NFL star left Texans, signed with Cardinals before 2021 season

J.J. Watt was a mainstay on the area and sidelines for the Texans for a 10 years. The workforce chosen him with the eleventh choose in the 2011 NFL Draft and he was a single of the marquee players to enjoy any time that Houston has performed in prime time.

But when the Texans experience the Panthers on “Thursday Night time Football,” they will do so without the need of Watt. He and the Texans parted approaches in the course of the 2021 offseason.

Watt put together a storied, Corridor of Fame profession with the Texans. He was named an AP All-Pro 5 moments and logged one zero one sacks in the course of his profession. That is the most in Texans history by a vast margin Whitney Mercilus (55) is in next on the checklist.

Watt also won the Defensive Participant of the Year award a few moments.

Why did J.J. Watt depart the Texans? And where is he enjoying in the course of his eleventh NFL time? Here is every little thing you need to know about Watt’s offseason of transform.

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Why did J.J. Watt depart the Texans?

Watt and the Texans mutually agreed to element approaches in the course of the 2021 offseason. He declared that conclusion in a video posted to his Twitter account on Feb. twelve, 2021.

This was not a shock. The Texans went four-twelve in the course of the 2020 time and were heading for a rebuild. Watt wanted to participate in for a contender. 

“I you should not imagine it’s any secret that I you should not have 10 years left in this league,” Watt stated in November of 2020, per ESPN. “I individually believe that that I do have a couple much more good ones left in me. But you also are not able to … I’m not seeking to rebuild. I’m seeking to go following a championship, and that is what I want to do. So, whatever is in the ideal fascination of the Houston Texans, that is in the ideal fascination of myself.”

The Texans — who were established to research for a new coach and GM following firing Bill O’Brien and had no initially or next-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft — could not supply Watt a chance to participate in for a playoff workforce, enable on your own a Tremendous Bowl winner. So, they elected to element approaches.

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The goodbye was a heartfelt a single for Watt.

“I came listed here 10 years ago as a kid from Wisconsin who’d in no way definitely been to Texas just before. And now I are not able to consider my everyday living without the need of Texas in it,” Watt stated. “The way that you guys have treated me — other than draft night, I suggest you guys booed me on draft night — but every single working day following that you treated me like spouse and children. And I actually come to feel like you might be my spouse and children.”

The Texans shared the sentiment and thanked Watt for every little thing he had completed for the franchise in an official assertion from the workforce.

“Alter is in no way simple, primarily when it entails the ones you really like. J.J.’s effect on not only our firm, but the whole Houston neighborhood, is not like any player in our franchise’s history,” stated Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair. “I informed J.J. earlier this week that we will eternally take into consideration him a Texan. We consider solace in being aware of that this is not a goodbye but a ‘see you shortly.'”

Watt was introduced soon following that announcement was produced, and he received prepared to move on to his next NFL workforce.

“I’m thrilled and seeking ahead to a new chance,” Watt stated. “And I’ve been doing the job exceptionally challenging. But at the similar time, it is generally challenging to move on. And I just want you guys to know that I really like you, I recognize you. I recognize the McNair spouse and children for drafting me and giving me my initially chance NFL. Thank you, Houston, I really like you.”

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Where by is J.J. Watt now?

Watt is enjoying for the Cardinals in 2021. He signed a two-12 months offer worthy of $28 million to join a defensive line that currently features one of the NFL’s ideal go rushers, Chandler Jones.

Watt’s move has labored out so significantly. The Cardinals are two- to start off the time and looked like a legit playoff contender following manhandling the Titans 38-13 in 7 days 1. 7 days two was a bit dicier, but they however pulled off a 34-33 gain around the Vikings.

Even though Watt has however to deliver a sack in Arizona, he has racked up 4 tackles, a tackle for decline and a quarterback strike. He also aided consider awareness away from Jones in the course of his 5-sack outing in the Cardinals’ time opener.