The defensive star said he wants to compete for championships near the end of his career.
The Houston Texans released the three-time defensive player of the year J.J. Watt on Friday after he asked to leave the team. “I have sat down with the McNair family and I have asked them for my release, and we have mutually agreed to part ways at this time,” he said in a video posted to Twitter. “I’m excited and looking forward to a new opportunity.” Watt will become a free agent, and even at 31 should still be in demand by teams seeking a pass rusher. After making the playoffs in four of five seasons, the Texans collapsed to 4-12 in 2020. Watt has expressed a desire to play for a contending team in the twilight of his career. “I don’t think it’s any secret that I don’t have 10 years left in this league,” Watt told ESPN in November. “I’m not looking to rebuild. I’m looking to go after a championship, and that’s what I want to do.” Like most bad teams, the Texans must decide whether to try to fix things quickly or go for a complete rebuild.
