Twitter reacts to the Texans releasing of DE J.J. Watt

The Houston Texans and J.J. Watt will be going in separate directions in 2021.

On Friday morning, news broke that the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year would be released from the AFC South club, which means he will be playing for a new NFL team for his 11th professional season.

“I have sat down with the McNair family and I have asked them for my release, and we have mutually agreed to part ways at this time,” Watt said in a video posted to his Twitter account.

Twitter was chock full of reactions upon hearing of the Texans’ intentions to release Watt.

Watt’s departure is interpreted by some as the birth pangs for the great rebuilding inside the Texans that will culminate with quarterback Deshaun Watson’s trade.

J.J. Watt leaving the Texans, Watson wants out 🤯 it’s going down in Houston lol

— Eddy C-V (@eddycv91) February 12, 2021

JJ Watt leaving the sinking ship that is the Texans pic.twitter.com/fNjEwmFjqN

— Gump Cathcart (@bubbagumpino) February 12, 2021

Deshaun Watson with Nuk Hopkins and J.J. Watt gone pic.twitter.com/pZZ5zJtQke

— PFF (@PFF) February 12, 2021

Departures from Houston since Jack Easterby was hired in April 2019:

– GM Brian Gaine
– WR DeAndre Hopkins
– HC Bill O’Brien
– Head of PR Amy Palcic
– President Jamey Rootes
– Team captain JJ Watt

Each move deserves individual evaluation… but just look at those job titles.

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) February 12, 2021

However, there is one opinion that isn’t as gloomy about Watt’s release.

To be fair, J.J. Watt would have almost certainly been a cap casualty this winter for even the most well functioning NFL franchise. This move has very little bearing on Deshaun Watson’s future…

— Spotrac (@spotrac) February 12, 2021

Overall, fans were grateful for Watt’s tenure in Houston.

Farewell and good luck to J.J. Watt. H-Town was blessed to have a guy of your talent for so long, and you served your community like a freaking boss. One of the real great guys and one of the great Texans ever. HOF is a cinch for you big fella'.

— Lee Jackson (@Holleewood1) February 12, 2021

J.J. Watt will forever be my favorite Houston Texan. Nobody has ever shown more heart on that team than him! Excited to watch the rest of his future! Good luck J.J.!

— Philip de los Santos (@songwriter82) February 12, 2021

No one can forget what Watt did for the city of Houston after Hurricane Harvey, and also his humility in saving a city.

J.J. Watt did a lot of great things in Houston, but his work after Harvey devastated the region was what will always stick out in my mind. https://t.co/L2aatibg1j

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) February 12, 2021

This is 100% true. In 2017 I spent two weeks in Houston watching Watt raise $37 million for Harvey victims. He tried to convince us to give the Sportsperson(s) of the Year award to the Astros instead. https://t.co/g8R46nAoRg https://t.co/TfQ8IKb29Z

— robertklemko (@RobertKlemko) February 12, 2021

Of course, Watt’s release also sparked opportunists, such as Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.