On Monday, All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt broke the news of his own signing as he posted a photo to social media, including Twitter, showing him working out in a Cardinals shirt. He captioned the photo, “source: me.”


Later, the Cardinals confirmed the team has agreed to a two-year deal with the 31-year old. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cardinals signed Watt to a two-year deal worth $31 million that includes a guaranteed $23 million.

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This signing came along following Watt’s recent release from the Texans. Watt was released on February 12 after he mutually agreed to part ways with the team. As a result, he was an unrestricted free agent.

Watt also announced his release via video on Twitter. Watt said he is “excited and looking forward to a new opportunity” but added it would be “tough to move on” from what had been his home for the past 10 seasons.


Watt previously expressed his desire to leave the Texans and to get the chance to play for a Super Bowl title with a different team. Last season, Houston went 4-12 and ended up missing the playoffs.

Watt was a member of the Texans since he was selected with the No. 11 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Over the course of his 10 years in Houston, Watt was named first-team All-Pro five times and won the Walter Peyton Man of the Year award in 2017.

In 2020, Watt totaled five sacks and 36 solo tackles. Going into 2021, he was set to enter the final season of his six-year, $10 million contract with the Texans.

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Mia Perlman

Article by Mia Perlman

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