Count the Green Bay Packers among teams interested in acquiring defensive lineman JJ Watt, who was released by the Houston Texans on Friday.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber, the Packers are one of about a dozen teams already interested in Watt.
The fit looks almost perfect for both sides. The Packers could certainly use a versatile and disturbing defensive line like Watt to strengthen the defensive front and create a championship-level pass. Watt, a Wisconsin native, would have the opportunity to pursue a Super Bowl with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, who have won 26 regular-season games since 2019 and have gone on to win the NFC title each of the last two seasons.
Watt may be the final piece of the Super Bowl puzzle for the Packers. And it’s almost certain that Watt has a certain level of interest in joining the Packers, the team that encouraged him to grow.
The financial side is where the couple gets complicated. Watt appears to be a highly coveted player in the open market, as expected, and the Packers have yet to invest more than $ 20 million to reach the projected 2021 salary cap, even after restructuring the deal. David Bakhtiari for free.
GM Brian Gutekunst has many ways to leave more space at the limit and leave enough space for Watt, but several more moves would be needed.
The benefits of adding Watt seem to outweigh the risks, though it should be noted that the former Badgers star will turn 32 next month and has missed large chunks of three seasons since 2016 with major injuries.