Houston: Turn Down for Watt
- Thread starter singaporesoxfan
- Start date
Watt is still an elite player, at least for another year or two. He probably is going to want elite money for 3 or 4 years tho
Hard to tell what this year will be like but, Hayward got 4/66 (20 guaranteed) at age 31, so something similar?
The logical place he'd land is Pittsburgh because of his brothers there, but Pittsburgh is $22 million over the cap after Pouncey's retirement. Tampa and Green Bay are also logical destinations. Belichick would probably have to overpay for him.
This could work out, assuming that the team still employs the guy who used to build all of Gronk's prosthetics.
He would have to take a bargain basement deal for Tampa to work given Tampa’s cap challenges/glut of FA. Maybe he takes that, or maybe he takes considerably more money to play for Miami or something.
His wife plays professional soccer in Chicago. Looks like seasons overlap a little bit. Do the Bears have room or make any sense?
Bears are currently $6 million over the cap with 47 players signed. They'd have to restructure a few contracts to make it work.
Really is remarkable how far Houston has fallen in such a short period of time. This is a team with 4 division titles in last 6 years who absolutely nailed a QB pick in Watson in 2017 and now they're sitting there 4 years later with Watt leaving despite still being a good player, Watson wanting out, and their #3/36 overall picks going to Miami for a good OT whose prime is about to be wasted because the organization is in flames.
As said in other threads, they will restructure a bunch of contracts to make room. Donovan Smith will not play for the $14.25 million, Ryan Jensen won't play for the $10 million cap hit currently, and one of Howard or Brate will be cut and save $6 million.
I also don't see them keeping Godwin. They may, but I feel like he is expendable. AB could slide into that spot a lot cheaper I bet
Mike Evans had already said he wants to make money available to the team and it'd be pretty easy to extend Brady for another year and create cap space.
My first thought was exactly this. Very good defense, an offense that can score. If Watt signs there, probably easier to replace Pouncey too.
The franchise tag for Godwin will be $15M, Watt will probably get something between $10M-$12M most likely next year and David/Barrett will command big paydays. I'm skeptical that they can add Watt and keep the key components from the Super Bowl run.
My read of Watt is it is not primarily about the money for him. That probably means Pittsburgh (though, he has to be confident Roethlisberger is back there, IMO)
I wouldn't be shocked if he considers the Pats, I think he is a football purist and recognizes how unique Pats are for that. But the lack of realistic playoff chances (absent a QB upgrade) is a factor.
Also, unless he really wants a certain situation, or I'm wrong and he's financially motivated, he's a guy who might wait to see what plays out rather than seeking a quick deal.
I wouldn't be shocked if he considers the Pats, I think he is a football purist and recognizes how unique Pats are for that. But the lack of realistic playoff chances (absent a QB upgrade) is a factor.
Also, unless he really wants a certain situation, or I'm wrong and he's financially motivated, he's a guy who might wait to see what plays out rather than seeking a quick deal.
They can easily cut to get below the cap (Jimmy Graham alone does it). Much depends on what they do with the QB slot, too - trying to get Wentz in even if shipping out Foles & Cohen requires a lot of other maneuverings.
They could cut Akiem Hicks, have Eddie Goldman anchor the center of the line, and then try to get Watt in. The Bears' new DC, Sean Desai, is a first-time coordinator so it's not clear what his preferences are.
I don't think they'll franchise Godwin. IMO, they can get similar production from Antonio Brown for much cheaper. That would leave a lot more room to pay more of their players or make outside acquisitions.
This was my thought. He's accomplished everything he needs to individually and has plenty of cash. He's going to go ring hunting not searching for the largest contract. I'm not saying it'll be $1-2M a year, but definitely less than open market. Family connection to Pitt makes sense because they are also a contender.
As much as I'd be thrilled to have Watt on the Pats, I'd be kidding myself if NE was in the top 5 teams he'd like to play for.
I'd put Pitt, TB, and Miami as the top 3. Rams also make sense.
I'd put Pitt, TB, and Miami as the top 3. Rams also make sense.
Watt was still Top 10 in pass rush win rate and run stop win rate for DE/OLB. He was also double teamed more than any other edge rusher as well. I think his sack totals can be kind of misleading, he was still a very disruptive player.
View: https://twitter.com/NFL_Stats/status/1337498734972833795?s=20
View: https://twitter.com/NFL_Stats/status/1337498734972833795?s=20
I'd also throw in the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens as possible destinations too. Reportedly, he loved playing for Vrabel and Anthony Weaver who is in Baltimore.
If the rest of the Texans offseason is any guide, this Houston resident is the replacement for Watt
https://www.click2houston.com/sports/2021/02/11/kprc-story-goes-viral-as-texas-mom-tackles-suspected-peeper/
https://www.click2houston.com/sports/2021/02/11/kprc-story-goes-viral-as-texas-mom-tackles-suspected-peeper/
BAL also has a huge need for a pass rusher plus they do have cap space, though they also have a bunch of holes to fill so not necessarily sure they'd want to put that much cap room into one guy (creative contracts notwithstanding).
The only thing about Baltimore is that does JJ want to have 2 bloody battles with his brothers (even if he doesn't have to tackle them)?
sure that's a consideration but BAl also has a better chance of winning a SB than PIT does IMO. Yes, PIT needs Ben to come back but Ben was looking pretty bad by the end of the season for whatever reason.
Lazar is fully on board on getting Watt, even if chances are slim:
View: https://youtu.be/7eiQpS7fGvQ
View: https://youtu.be/7eiQpS7fGvQ
If the Pats still had Brady, they'd be in consideration for Watt and it wouldn't shock me if the Brady/BB combo wouldn't have put them at the top of the list. Forget about it now. JJ wants a legit contender as time is short.
This.
I can't see him wanting to come here, this team is not a player or two away from a championship.
Very far from it.
Who knows. There is going to be massive turnover before FA is done league wide. Some trades, the draft, and most notably, dozens and dozens of really good players getting cut for cap reasons. The Patriots may well have a really good roster by the time Watt is deciding.
Am I being blind for thinking that adding a QB and some weapons, by draft or using our cap room, plus the guys returning who opted out, plus having a damn good coaching staff, could make us much better really fast? I mean Im not saying it WILL happen, but i could see the team improving fairly quickly if things break right?