Fans of the concept of J.J. Watt in a Cleveland Browns uniform got more reason to smile at the idea thanks to a report from Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.
Cabot reported on Tuesday morning that Watt, the three-time NFL defensive player of the year, is “seriously considering” signing with the Browns. Watt was released by the Houston Texans over the weekend after requesting out of the increasingly dysfunctional organization.
He does have other options. Watt has two brothers playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, though that team currently has no ability to fit him under the NFL’s salary cap without making some harsh cuts elsewhere, even if Watt agreed to the minimum contract. The Wisconsin native is also being actively pursued by the Green Bay Packers. His connections to Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel have also led to speculation about a reunion in Nashville.
Watt played in all 16 games in 2020 and led the Texans in both sacks (5) and passes defended (7). He was a first-team All-Pro in 2018 with 16 sacks and an NFL-leading seven forced fumbles.
Ex-#Texans J.J. Watt is seriously considering the #Browns as one of his options because they have a lot of what he wants, sources tell clevelanddotcom https://t.co/8YITdBpPTJ
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 16, 2021
The thought that Watt is seroiusly considering the Browns is an indication of the relative status of Cleveland as an up-and-coming team and a legitimate rising contender.
