J.J. Watt trade rumors: 5 teams that should trade for Texans star

2. Seattle Seahawks

For too long, the Seattle Seahawks have been relying on Russell Wilson to carry the team, and both his and the organization’s sputtering end to the 2020-21 NFL season is a clear sign to the franchise’s executives that a strong offseason is in order. Seattle has already responded with a new offensive coordinator, but their personnel issues are even more glaring.

The Seahawks did an excellent job last year when they acquired safety Jamal Adams from the New York Jets. Without him, there’s no way Seattle would have made it to the postseason, because Adams effectively carried the defense in the same vein Wilson carried the offense. Adams had an all-time great pass-rushing season from the safety position with a team-high 9.5 sacks.

He needs help, though. Jarran Reed had 6.5 sacks and Carlos Dunlap added a handful more as a mid-season acquisition, but the Seahawks don’t have a star player up front. Watt would be that star player and would give the Seahawks defensive line a dose of veteran leadership that they seem to need.

Like Green Bay and Kansas City, Seattle is in a situation where they need to keep their eyes on the prize and do whatever it takes to win a Super Bowl. Although Wilson has grown by leaps and bounds since his first Super Bowl victory in the 2013 season, Seattle has not been able to win a second championship since then even though it seemed like they were building a dynasty.

The Seahawks have to be careful, though. After the Adams trade, all they have is a second-round pick, and they wouldn’t draft until the fourth round if they give that up for Watt. Their roster lacks depth, too, so they don’t have many tradeable assets. But if Watt can lift them to a Super Bowl by massively upgrading their pass rush, the all-in approach and gamble against the immediate future would be worth it.