Even though there were heavy rumors of JJ Watt being trading at the deadline this year, the team decided to hold on to him, but it doe not appear he will be in uniform for the Houston Texans past this season.
CBS Sports reported on Sunday morning that a Watt trade is a “virtual certainty” this offseason.
“It’s a wrap,” said one source with knowledge of the situation per La Canfora. “He knows he only has so many games left and he is ready to go and try to win. The guys in that locker room are bracing for it.”
La Canfora writes that people who talked to the Texans ahead of the trade deadline came away with the impression a trade is inevitable.
The Texans don’t have first or second-round picks in next year’s draft, and trading Watt could net them both or least one for a rebuilding franchise that could desperately need it.
“Bill O’Brien made too many mistakes for the next guy to be able to fix them all,” he said. “That’s not happening. That process will take years, and the first step is getting what you can for older players who are making real money.”
La Canfora notes the 31-year-old Watt doesn’t want to go through a rebuild, which is unlikely to change no matter who the Texans hire at head coach and general manager.
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“At the end of the day, Cal respects JJ too much to hold him back,” another source told La Canfora. “I think everyone in their hearts already knows he is going to be moving on. He’s done everything they could have ever asked for, and this chapter is closing.”
In 2020, the 31-year-old Watt has appeared in seven games and recorded 24 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble, one recovery and three pass defenses.
