Chicago Bears: Ryan Pace should add this defensive end if cut in 2021
With rumors, one should take them with a grain of salt. However, they are always fun to think about. The Chicago Bears should sign J.J. Watt if the Houston Texans cut him in 2021.
What would you think if the Chicago Bears signed J.J. Watt if he were released from the Texans in 2021? Do not think it is possible? Well, did you see what general manager and head coach Bill O’Brien did with DeAndre Hopkins this offseason?
Looking forward to 2021, the Texans will owe J.J. Watt $17.5 million. It will be the final year of Watt’s current contract and he comes without a dead cap hit. With the current moves, it is possible that Houston looks to use the money elsewhere. Deshaun Watson will need to be paid for years to come for example.
Recent Interview with Watt Points to Possibility
If released, would Watt even be interested in coming to Chicago? Well, in a recent interview with Jake Hamilton about his new show “Ultimate Tag”, Watt made some very positive comments about the city of Chicago. The conversation took place because Watt’s wife, Kealia Ohai was recently acquired by the Chicago Red Stars.
In the interview, Watt said he and his wife love Chicago. He spoke about how he is familiar with the city since he grew up in Wisconsin. He spoke about how they love the people and the food. He also mentioned they look forward to spending a great deal of time in Chicago over the next few years.
Also within the interview, Hamilton asked Watt about an upcoming 2020 regular-season game with the Chicago Bears. The game takes place in December at Soldier Field (unless the season does not happen). Watt replied how he enjoys playing in Chicago and how he views Soldier Field as an iconic stadium. He even went further to say Bears fans are great and he loves playing in Chicago winters.
If the Chicago Bears were to sign Watt, it would have to be on a very team-friendly contract. With Watt’s injury history, the days of making $10-plus million dollars per year are likely out the window for Watt. He has only played a full 16 games once in the last four years. He will be 31 this season and 32 in 2021. Not that Watt will need the money too badly. After the 2020 season, Watt will have earned a little over $100 million dollars over the span of 10 years.
If the Texans release Watt, he will see plenty of suitors, but based on where he grew up, where his wife is now playing professional soccer and the fact he could play for a historic defense with guys like Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn, Eddie Jackson and Akiem Hicks, playing for the Chicago Bears makes perfect sense. Ryan Pace (if still general manager) should make sure to sign him.
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On a team-friendly deal, Watt could pay off still at this point in his injury-ridden career. In the one season he played 16 games (2018) over the last four years, he wound up sacking quarterbacks 16 times. Last season he played eight games and came away with four sacks. Adding him to the Chicago Bears defensive talent in 2021 would be fantastic.