JJ Watt decided to end the free-agency speculation once it started spinning out of control.
Watt posted a photo of himself working out in a Cardinals shirt on Twitter with the caption, “source: me.” NFL Network reported that Watt signed a two-year, $31 million deal with $23 million guaranteed.
It is a little bit of a surprise, since talk of Watt prioritizing a Super Bowl after 10 seasons with Texans and then signing with the Cardinals doesn’t quite add up. Arizona finished 8-8 in 2020. The Texans released the 31-year-old Watt last month after he requested they do so.
Earlier in the day, a reporter posted a fake Peloton account that he thought was Watt’s, which indicated the defensive end’s final three were the Bills, Packers and Browns.
Those three teams were seemingly among the favorites to sign Watt before Monday’s Cardinals reveal.
“i don’t own a bike. stop,” Watt, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time first-team All-Pro, wrote on Twitter.
It will be interesting to see how much Watt has left. He produced just five sacks in 16 games last year, the fewest of his career when playing a full season. His 36 tackles were also a career-low. The positive was he did appear in all 16 games for Houston after injuries limited him to eight the previous season.
It is Ironic that Watt chose the Cardinals. He will be reunited there with former Texans star receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was dealt by Houston last spring and had a monster season teaming up with quarterback Kyler Murray.
After Watt’s release, Hopkins posted a photoshopped image of the two together on Instagram with the caption: “Let’s finish what we started…”
Watt will also be playing under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, the Texans’ defensive backs coach his first three years in Houston, and joining elite pass-rusher Chandler Jones. The Cardinals defense was 12th in scoring defense a year ago, allowing 22.9 points per game, and 13th in yards allowed.