J.J. Watt. To an average person, this name may not seem that familiar—just the name of a well-known football player. However, to an NFL fan, this name is legendary.

Taken with the 11th pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, J.J Watt has stamped his name in football history. Three Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2012, 2014, and 2015 and a Walter Payton Man of the Year honor in 2017 show what kind of person J.J. Watt is both on and off the field. However, his legacy as a Houston Texans has come to a close. On March 1st, 2021, hundreds of news sources flooded the internet, which all stated one thing: J.J. Watt is now on the Arizona Cardinals. 

Why would the Houston Texans release J.J. Watt?  Keep in mind this was not some blockbuster trade. The Texans released J.J. Watt from their active roster, and he decided to go to the Arizona Cardinals. For the Houston Texans, this is a very foolish choice. The Texans could have easily gotten a couple of draft picks for J.J. Watt. The fact that they just released him is very questionable. For J.J. Watt, on the other hand, this is potentially a career-defining move. While the Arizona Cardinals are not precisely a super-team, they are a team that has potential. If we take a look at the Cardinals’ roster, they are incredibly well-balanced. They have one of the best wide receivers in league with Deandre Hopkins and a Hall-of-Famer in Larry Fitzgerald. In addition to this, they have star-young quarterback Kyler Murray. On defense, the Cardinals have All-Pro linebacker Chandler Jones alongside elite defensive backs with Buddha Baker and Patrick Peterson. With J.J. Watt added to this stellar defense, it will be something offensive coordinators around the league will need to consider. 

What is going on with the Houston Texans? The Texans have no doubt been a mess; they are one of the most discussed teams in the NFL right now. All-Pro quarterback Deshaun Watson is very unhappy with the Houston Texans and has demanded a trade. Even though the Texans have stated that Deshaun Watson is their quarterback and will not be traded, it is clear that Deshaun is willing to do anything to get out of Houston. Although this situation has been a mess, it will be interesting to see what will happen in the coming weeks. 

One thing that has always been J.J. Watt’s weakness is his injuries. This is the main thing that has kept many fans worried. When healthy, he is the best defensive end in the game; however, injuries keep him from performing like any player. Some have even discussed the possibility of J.J. Watt retiring after his two-year contract with the Cardinals. J.J. Watt is currently 31 years old, and even if he retired today, he would undoubtedly be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. However, 31 is not that old for an NFL player, and seeing how J.J. Watt has not won a Super Bowl yet, there is still a lot to be desired.