J.J. Watt Contract History: A Closer Look
J.J. Watt has become a household name in the NFL due to his incredible performances on the field. The defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals has been one of the most dominant players in the league since he was drafted in 2011. But what has been the story of his contracts throughout his career? In this article, we are going to take a closer look at J.J. Watt contract history.
First Contract: Houston Texans (2011-2014)
J.J. Watt was drafted 11th overall by the Houston Texans in 2011. He signed a four-year contract worth $11.24 million, with a signing bonus of $6.67 million. Watt`s rookie deal was considered by many to be one of the best bargains in NFL history, given the level of play he was able to achieve.
Contract Extension: Houston Texans (2014-2021)
After his rookie contract expired, the Texans were quick to sign Watt to a six-year contract extension worth $100 million, with $51.8 million guaranteed. This deal made him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL at the time.
Unfortunately, Watt`s tenure with the Texans was plagued by injuries in the latter half of this contract. He only played eight games in 2016 due to a back injury, and only five games in 2017 due to a leg fracture. Despite these setbacks, Watt remained one of the most dominant pass rushers in the league when healthy.
Mutual Termination: Houston Texans (2021)
After the 2020 season, the Texans and Watt mutually agreed to part ways. As part of this agreement, Watt forfeited $17.5 million in guaranteed money for the 2021 season. This move allowed the Texans to clear cap space while giving Watt the chance to explore other opportunities in free agency.
Free Agency: Arizona Cardinals (2021-Present)
Watt`s free agency generated significant buzz, with many teams vying for his services. Ultimately, he signed a two-year contract worth $31 million with the Arizona Cardinals, with $23 million guaranteed. The deal includes $12.5 million in signing bonus and $3 million in incentives.
Watt has already made a strong impact on the Cardinals defense in the early part of the 2021 season. He recorded two sacks in his debut game against the Tennessee Titans, showing that he is still one of the most dominant pass rushers in the league.
Conclusion
J.J. Watt`s contract history has been defined by both his incredible skill on the field and his unfortunate injury setbacks. Despite these challenges, Watt has remained one of the most dominant players in the NFL. His recent move to the Arizona Cardinals is an exciting development for fans of the team, and we look forward to seeing what he can accomplish in the years to come.