Latest update on J.J. Watt is bad news for the Packers
An update from a Packers beat reporter will throw ice water on fans in Green Bay hoping to sign J.J. Watt.
With J.J. Watt officially out of Houston, a lot of fanbases perked up their ears and started rubbing their hands together at the prospect of bringing in the five-time Pro Bowler.
Unfortunately for Packers fans, they aren’t likely to be in the sweepstakes, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
I see where it might look like that, but the #Packers are not going to sign Watt. They have to get under the cap and they have too many others they need to re-sign/extend. Unless the market somehow collapses on him, he'll sign for way more than GB can pay. It's not a good match. https://t.co/tI0GcChICS
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) February 19, 2021
As fun as it would be to see Watt end up in Green Bay, Silverstein’s point is well taken. The Packers are already dealing with tight salary cap figures and their list of players to re-sign is long.
The Packers have too much work to do in free agency to pursue J.J. Watt
Free agents include center Corey Linsley, left guard Lane Taylor, tight end Marcedes Lewis, running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, wide receiver Tavon Austin, cornerback Kevin King, defensive linemen Billy Winn, Montravius Adams and Damon Harrison, linebacker James Burgess and safety Will Redmond.
Some of those will be allowed to walk to other teams, but Green Bay will want to secure others.
Making Watt happen would require some serious work in the background, structuring deals perfectly to afford his asking price.
The Packers will have to ask their own question: Is he worth it?
The Watt of 2012 through 2015 would be worth everything you could throw at him. The Watt from 2018 would be a huge addition. However, the Watt they’d be getting is soon to be 32 years old and comes with some serious injury baggage.
If Green Bay concluded he’s worth the trouble, they would be in the right to move mountains to get him. It’s just far from certain they’ll reach that conclusion. Watt is a gamble someone will embrace. There are simply more likely gamblers than the Packers.
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