When I wrote about it the other day when Houston released JJ Watt, I said the Packers had a chance, but he’d probably go to Pittsburgh to join his brothers.
Now I think there’s a very real chance the Packers could sign him, but of course, there’s never any guarantees.
This is obviously a hypothetical, here’s what a 2-year $31 million fully guaranteed contract for JJ Watt and how it’d work for the Packers:
2021 Cap Hit – $6 Million
2022 Cap Hit – $15 Million
2023- Cap Hit – $10 Million (while not on the team)
He was set to make $17.5 Million for Houston and had trade interest according to Ian Rapoport, which I’m still not sure why the Texans didn’t work out a trade with someone to get something in return.
Good news for Packers fans wanting Watt:
- He was released (doesn’t count towards comp pick formula)
- He loves Wisconsin
- Would have a real chance at a ring
- Could sign now with a very backloaded deal
Bad news for Packers fans wanting Watt:
- Green Bay currently has no money
- Watt won’t be cheap
- He can win a ring at other places too
The Green Bay Packers recently created about $8.3 Million in cap space by restructuring David Bakhtiari’s contract.
That’s a start.
But the Packers have some serious work to do with cutting players, restructuring contracts, etc. to get under the cap (which I believe will be about $180M) to have the flexibility to sign free agents, restricted free agents, the draft class, etc.
Kwik Trip has made their recruiting pitch for JJ:
I have to agree with JJ Watt from his tweet in 2010:
It’d be great if the “hometown kid” signs with the Packers. Let’s see how it plays out! Hopefully he makes a good choice.
No
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