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HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have parted ways with star defensive end JJ Watt after asking for his release.
Watt was drafted by the Texans in 2011 with the No.11 pick and went on to become the face of the franchise, winning three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards from 2012 to 2015. Watt is one of three players to win this price three times.
“I sat down with the McNair family and asked for my release and we have mutually agreed to go our separate ways right now,” Watt said in a video posted to Twitter. “I came here 10 years ago when I was a kid from Wisconsin who had never really been to Texas before. And now I can’t imagine my life without Texas. The way you got me treated, other than draft night I You booed me on draft night, but every day after that you treated me like family and I really feel like you are my family.
“… I’m excited and can’t wait to grab a new opportunity, and I’ve worked really hard. But at the same time, it’s always hard to move on. And I just want you to know that I love Thank you. I appreciate the McNair family for drafting me and giving me my first opportunity in the NFL. “
Watt has just completed his second 16-game season since 2015, having suffered several late-season injuries since.
Houston, I wanted you to hear it straight from me … pic.twitter.com/YqT3P6Lb6l
– JJ Watt (@JJWatt) February 12, 2021
“Change is never easy, especially when it involves those you love. JJ’s impact not only on our organization, but on the entire Houston community, is unlike any player in the history of our franchise, ”Texans President and CEO Cal McNair said in a prepared statement. “I told JJ earlier this week that we will forever consider him a Texan. We take comfort in knowing that this is not a goodbye but a ‘see you soon’. For now, we will be building. on the foundation that JJ created here and moving forward with our unwavering mission to bring a championship to our city, create memorable experiences for our fans and do great things for Houston.
In 2020, Watt ranked 15th out of 119 qualified pass runners in Pass Rush success rate, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. He finished the season with five sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception that he came back for a touchdown.
Watt is by far the most productive passer in Texan history, with 101 career sacks. There have only been two players in the team’s history with over 30 career sacks (Whitney Mercilus with 54 and Mario Williams with 53) since the franchise’s first season in 2002.
During the season, Watt made it clear that he was not interested in playing for a team in the midst of ‘rebuilding’.
“I don’t think it’s a secret that I’m not 10 years old in this league anymore,” Watt said in November. “Personally, I think I still have some great results left in me. But you can’t either… I’m not looking to rebuild. I’m looking to go and get a championship, and that’s what I want . do. “
When asked at the end of the season if he thought the 2021 Texans would be in rebuilding mode, Watt said there were “so many unknown factors in this situation right now that you can’t not say it definitively “.
Watt had one year left on the contract he signed in 2014. He was owed $ 17.5 million in 2021, but his salary was not guaranteed. He is now free to sign with another team.
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