Texans release of J.J. Watt is clear sign this regime is a mess
The Houston Texans have released star defensive end J.J. Watt, a cornerstone of the franchise who wanted out after more than a decade.
J.J. Watt wanted out. Let that sink in for a moment.
Watt, who has been with the Houston Texans since being a first-round pick in 2011, went to owner Cal McNair and asked for his release. Shockingly, the Texans obliged without turning the situation into an even bigger mess, so perhaps kudos to them?
Turning 32 years old this offseason, Watt wanted a chance to win. He’s never seen the AFC Championship Game and only won three postseason games in his storied career. If there’s going to be a fairy tale ending to his time in the NFL, it wasn’t coming with Houston.
Under general manager Nick Caserio and executive Vice President of football operations Jack Easterby, the Texans have done little correctly. It’s been a full-force campaign of alienating star players such as quarterback Deshaun Watson by making poor personnel decisions and odd firings within the building, such as former PR head Amy Palcic and others.
J.J. Watt asked for his release from the Texans after tumultuous offseason
Watt, who had continuously voiced his support of those ousted, has to feel relieved. He’s the football version of a person grabbing the last seat on the last Titanic lifeboat. Now he can find a new home, a new dream and a new hope.
Meanwhile, Texans fans are stuck with a team which seems hellbent on becoming the worst in football. After going 4-12 this season, Houston has no first or second-round picks, which is made all the more stunning considering its ham-handed trade of star receiver DeAndre Hopkins a year ago.
Only 13 months ago, Houston was leading the Kansas City Chiefs 24-0 in the AFC Divisionals at Arrowhead Stadium. The Texans were a few quarters away from hosting the AFC title game against the Tennessee Titans, who they would have been favored against.
They were summarily outscored 51-7 the rest of the way, traded Hopkins two months later and haven’t looked back.
Watt, the greatest player in franchise history, wanted out. He got his wish. Good on him.