Texans Release JJ Watt

The Houston Texans are releasing JJ Watt, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Texans selected Watt with the No. 11 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and found their franchise defensive end. Most observers believed the Texans would trade the 31-year-old member of the 100 Sacks Club, but that has changed, according to NFL insiders.

JJ Watt posted a video Friday morning saying that he asked the McNair family to release him. The sides "mutually" agree to part ways, according to Watt.

"I came here 10 years ago as a kid from Wisconsin who had never really been to Texas before. Now I can't imagine my life without Texas in it."

Watt thanked the fans for their huge support -- except on draft night when they booed the pick.

"The connection is special," Watt said of the people he's met and the way he's been treated in Houston.












"I will never ever take that for granted because I know how rare it is."

"I'm excited and looking forward to a new opportunity. It is always tough to move on."

Watt's career in Houston ends with 101 sacks, 128 games played, 531 tackles and two interceptions that were both returned for touchdowns. The 80-yard interception for a touchdown came against the Bills in 2014, and Watt had a 19-yard interception against Matthew Stafford on Thanksgiving Day 2020.

He has also been named NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times.

Watt will also be remembered for raising $41.6 million in Hurricane Harvey relief funds for the people of Houston who suffered greatly after the storm destroyed much of the city.












Written by
Joe Kinsey is the Senior Director of Content of OutKick and the editor of the Morning Screencaps column that examines a variety of stories taking place in real America. Kinsey is also the founder of OutKick’s Thursday Night Mowing League, America’s largest virtual mowing league. Kinsey graduated from University of Toledo.