Packers amongst a dozen groups expressing curiosity in signing J.J. Watt, per report


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As soon as a cheesehead, at all times a cheesehead. With the Texans lately granting J.J. Watt his launch from the franchise after a decade in Houston, NFL contenders are seemingly losing no time in making an attempt to lure the star cross rusher to their membership. Watt reportedly has round a dozen groups vying for his providers and yet one more of them has now been revealed. In line with Invoice Huber of Sports activities Illustrated, the Inexperienced Bay Packers are among the many many who have expressed curiosity in inking Watt to a deal. 

Whereas noteworthy, Inexperienced Bay’s curiosity is hardly a shock. They’re a group on the cusp of a Tremendous Bowl berth — having reached the NFC Championship over the previous two seasons — and will use a expertise like Watt alongside their entrance seven to push them excessive. It additionally would not harm that Watt has large ties to the group, being a Pewaukee, Wisconsin native who was a standout on the College of Wisconsin. On condition that the Packers are his boyhood group and are a legit contender within the NFC, it appears solely logical that the curiosity is mutual. 

Even when there’s curiosity from each side, nonetheless, the cash may find yourself being the key roadblock. The Packers had been in a position to clear round $8.3 million in cap house because of left sort out David Bakhtiari restructuring his contract, however the membership nonetheless must make a number of extra strikes to even get below regardless of the remaining variety of the wage cap finally ends up being for this 12 months. Watt isn’t any spring rooster — he turns 32 subsequent month — however ought to nonetheless command a good contract by a lot of golf equipment which can be in competition. If that proves to be the case, Inexperienced Bay may discover itself priced out of the Watt sweepstakes exterior of a big hometown low cost.

In contrast to most free brokers this offseason, Watt doesn’t want to attend till the beginning of the brand new league 12 months in mid-March to formally be a part of a membership. As quickly as he’s in a position and keen, he can put pen to paper on the deal, which suggests this free-agent tour may finish ahead of most. 

Watt, a three-time Defensive Participant of the 12 months, totaled 52 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, 5 tacks and two compelled fumbles together with an interception in 16 video games performed with the Texans final season. Whereas he is probably not the 20-plus sack participant he was at first of his profession, he is clearly nonetheless a deadly piece that might be a welcome addition to the Packers — or anybody else’s — front-seven in 2021. 



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