Adding the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end to the defense would make the Arizona Cardinals legitimate Super Bowl contenders
For fans of the Arizona Cardinals, it’s a scenario that’s almost too incredible to imagine. With the NFL trade deadline now just days away, the team’s faithful can only hope that the rumors surrounding five-time Pro Bowler J.J. Watt are true. The thought of the extremely talented defensive end running out of the tunnel wearing a Cardinals uniform should have the “Birdgang” jumping for joy.
Apparently, there’s a chance that Watt could be traded by the only organization he has ever played for. It just so happens that the 31-year old would provide a tremendous upgrade for the Cards defensive line. Is there anyone out there who believes that current starting defensive end Zach Allen is a better option for the squad than Watt?
In 119 career starts for the Texans, Watt has racked up 503 tackles, 99 sacks, 24 forced fumbles and an eye-popping 57 passes defensed as well. If that isn’t enough, the 6’5, 288 pounder also has 271 quarterback hits on his NFL resume, a statistic that reflects the horror he has caused for the league’s signal-callers over the years.
Houston, for lack of a better description, is a complete dumpster fire at the moment. Back on October 5th, former head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien was fired by the club after an 0-4 start to the current campaign. Arizona is no stranger to dealing with the 1-6 Texans, having fleeced the franchise for superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins back in March.
According to reports, Houston would likely be seeking a second-round pick in exchange for Watt. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year was selected in the first round (11th-overall) of the 2011 draft. Watt was voted First-team All-American while playing for the University of Wisconsin back in 2010.
Big Red’s defense has made significant strides since their awful performance in 2019. Coordinator Vance Joseph‘s group is far from a finished product, however. Adding a difference-maker like Watt could make a victory in Super Bowl LV a realistic goal for the surging Cardinals.