JJ Watt and the Houston Texans agree to part ways

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

By Lou Roesch

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 13, 2021) The Houston Texans and DE J.J. Watt have mutually agreed to part ways, the team announced today.

Watt is the franchise’s all-time sacks leader (101.0), a three-time Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winner (2012, 2014-15) and the 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.

“Change is never easy, especially when it involves the ones you love. J.J.’s impact on not only our organization, but the entire Houston community, is unlike any player in our franchise’s history,” said Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair. “I told J.J. earlier this week that we will forever consider him a Texan. We take solace in knowing that this is not a goodbye but a ‘see you soon.’ For now, we will build upon the foundation that J.J. created here and forge ahead with our unwavering mission to bring a championship to our city, create memorable experiences for our fans and do great things for Houston.”

“Simply put, there has been no person in the past decade who has made a greater impact on the Texans organization than J.J. Watt,” said Co-Founder and Senior Chair Janice S. McNair. “J.J.’s dominance on the field was unprecedented and resulted in countless moments that will go down in Texans history. To me, what best represents J.J.’s connection to Houston is his tradition of playing catch with the fans before every home game. The number of people who wear #99 jerseys with smiles on their faces totally encapsulated J.J.’s passion for bonding with Texans fans at every possible opportunity. His commitment to the community is unlike any player in NFL history. We are forever grateful to J.J. and his family.”

“The connection I have with the people of Houston is special, and I will never take that for granted because I know how rare it is. I just want you to know that I love you and I appreciate you,” said Watt via a message to fans via social media. “I want to thank the McNair family for drafting me and giving me my first opportunity in the NFL. Thank you, Houston.”

The Texans selected Watt with the 11th pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and he appeared in 128 games for the team across 10 seasons (2011-20). A five-time Pro Bowl selection and AP First-Team All-Pro (2012-15, 2018), Watt set franchise records in sacks (101.0), tackles for loss (172), quarterback hits (281) and forced fumbles (25) to go along with 531 total tackles, 61 passes defensed and 16 fumble recoveries. He owns the four highest single-season sack totals in team history (2012, 2014, 2015, 2018) and remains the only player in league history who has accumulated at least 15.0 percent of a single franchise’s sacks.

Watt is one of only three players in NFL history to win at least three AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards, doing so in 2012 and 2014-15. Since entering the NFL in 2011, he leads the league in tackles for loss (172), quarterback hits (281), multi-sack games (26) and sack yards (713.5), while ranking second in sacks (101.0). In 2020, Watt, who led the NFL in sacks twice (2012 and 2015), became the fourth-fastest player in NFL history to total 100.0 sacks, doing so in just his 120th career game.

From 2012-15, Watt logged four straight seasons with at least 10.0 sacks, including two seasons with 20.5 in 2012 and 2014. During that time, he earned six of his seven career AFC Defensive Player of the Week awards and five of his six career AFC Defensive Player of the Month awards. Watt is also the only player in NFL history with 20.0-or-more sacks and 10-or-more passes defensed in the same season (2012 and 2014), and he ranks tied for fifth among defensive linemen in league history with six regular season touchdowns, including three receiving touchdowns.

Off the field, Watt’s response to the disastrous Hurricane Harvey in 2017 helped him earn the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The hurricane made landfall in Houston as Watt and the Texans were away playing their third preseason game. While watching the events unfold from afar, Watt posted a video on social media announcing a fundraising campaign with a very attainable goal of $200,000, to which he intended to match the first $100,000. Little did he know that in just 19 days, he would help raise more than $37 million, a total that eventually grew to more than $41 million. Watt dedicated himself to finding organizations that applied the funds in the ways that he promised the donors and victims of the disaster. He also ensured that every dollar went directly to the people of Houston and its surrounding areas that were in need.

Watt started the Justin J. Watt Foundation while he was a junior at the University of Wisconsin in 2010 out of a desire to help underserved kids. His personal motto of “Dream Big, Work Hard” culminated into a mission that he has used to impact communities all over the country. The foundation has provided more than $6 million in funding to schools and organizations that either have insufficient funding for their youth after-school athletic programs or simply no after-school athletic programs at all.

JJ Watt is Houston's Michael Jordan

Photo by Darla Tamullitis,
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020, All Rights Reserved

By Lou Roesch

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 28, 2020) Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt spoke to the Houston media on Tuesday via Zoom. It was an interesting conversation and reminds sports fans of Michael Jordan basketball's GOAT.

The biggest question and answer of the day came in the form of question two and the final one before the Zoom was concluded.

With two years left on your contract and no guaranteed money left, do you want to sign a contract extension this offseason? 

"No, I don't think that's necessary. I fully understand and respect the situation that I'm in at the moment and what's happened in the past few years, so I'm not going to sit here and demand anything because I'm going out there to prove what I'm worth, and I believe that's the right situation for everybody. I think if I went back and asked for an extension, more money, anything right now, I think that would be the wrong move. I'm just going out there and trying to prove my worth and to help this team win games and do everything that I can to earn and make sure that these people know that I'm worth it."

This is what you expect from your leader and quite reminiscent of Jordan always playing out his contract and proving his worth each and every season.

How important is it for you to end you career with the Houston Texans?

“That would be, obviously, a goal of mine. This city has been incredible to me since the day I got here. I'm very thankful and fortunate to have the opportunity to play for such great fans that have been supportive of not only myself, my foundation and everything that I've tried to accomplish. It's a great place. I certainly hope that's the case. I don't know what's going to happen. I can't say what's going to happen in the future but I certainly hope that that's the case.”

Jordan never wanted to leave Chicago but the organization misunderstood what his greatness on and off the court meant to Chicago. Only time will tell if Houston learns from Chicago's mistake.

In between Watt also answered questions about Bill O'Brien, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, DJ Reader's absence in the locker room, potential TV career and time with family but maybe the most telling about his worth to the team came when he was asked about helping the rookies of 2020.

Has there been any advice you've been able to give the rookies with you going through the lockout your rookie year?

"Having gone through this type of offseason in 2011 where there were no OTA's, no minicamps, stuff like that, I do have a little bit of experience to lean on there. The thing that I've said is as long as you're training and doing what you need to do from a training standpoint, a running standpoint, getting yourself into the physical shape necessary for training camp, you'll be able to hit the ground running once training camp starts. This situation we actually have a little bit more of an advantage in that we have the Zoom meetings, we can go over the defense with the coaching staff. They can implement it and we can all talk to each other through that. So that is an advantage, but on the flip side of that, the disadvantage is it's hard for guys – in 2011 we could kind of meet as position groups or as an offense or defense, you could learn the plays and go over them and practice them together. Right now we're still kind of working through if that's entirely safe to do, if we should be gathering on our own, if we shouldn't, because we obviously want to get together. We prefer to work out together, we prefer to go over plays together, but at the same time we have to be smart about the guidelines and making sure that we're doing everything safe as well. We're kind of balancing those things just like everybody else, I think there's a lot of uncertainty and we're just trying to wade through those waters and make sure we do it right."

JJ Watt posed a refreshing insight into how much he is worth to the Texans organization and to the Houston community. As much as it appears Houston wants to work out a deal with quarterback DeShaun Watson, the organization needs to bring that same concerted effort to Watt sooner rather then later or he will walk.

Houston Texans to trade J.J. Watt

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis,
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

By Lou Roesch
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

May 3, 2020 (Houston, Texas) The Houston Texans have gone and done it it after long speculation. The trade will reunite J.J. Watt with his brothers in Pittsburgh (Steelers) and together they will become the first trio of brothers to win a Super Bowl. Could this become reality? Yes it can. Will it become reality? Probably. We will know in the next 24 months or less. Watt's current contract runs through 2021.

"Three Reasons" it happens:

1. The reason this becomes a reality can be spelled out in two words: Ross Blacklock. The 305-pound defensive end from TCU drafted at the 40th spot in the 2020 NFL draft will make J.J. Watt expendable. He has all the attributes of a number 99 and is eight years younger. At 23, Blacklock will have two years to play behind and learn all he can soak up from Watt before replacing him.

According to the draftnetwork.com's report if Blacklock can learn to process the run and reading blocks so that he can most effectively attack at the NFL level and master the technical transition from a four point stance, he will be an exciting player to watch grow. If they are right, Houston's newest player could make fans begin to say J.J. Who?

2. Closing in on 33 years of age as the next contract comes due, Watt will have to decide what's more important; playing with his brothers for a Super Bowl ring or finishing his career as a member of the Houston Texans. No doubt he will choose the ring and O'Brien will oblige.

3) The Houston Texans for some reason just made Laremy Tunsil the highest paid lineman in NFL history. They have exercised the fifth year option on quarterback DeShaun Watson and we know Bill O'Brien thinks he can throw a boatload of money at him and he will sign. The Texans will have no money left to nor the desire to offer J.J. another career defining contract. 

While Houston waits and wonders, the Texans will begin entertaining offers and preparing for life after J.J.

Six Houston Texans named to 2019 Pro Bowl roster

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 27, 2019) Six Houston Texans have been named to the 2019 Pro Bowl and will take to the field at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, January 27, 2019.  Defensive end J.J. Watt (shown right), outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will be starters in the game, while inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney will see action as a reserve. Quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Lamar Miller were also named to the elite squad as alternates.

The game will feature the same format as the previous five Pro Bowls. For the sixth straight year, the Pro Bowl will differ from standard NFL game rules and format in that there will be no kickoffs and every quarter will have a two-minute warning. Also, the play clock will be only 35 seconds, and the game clock will run after pass incompletions except when there is less than two minutes left in either half.

The game will be televised on ESPN and ABC with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. CST.

Texans vs. Steelers on Christmas Day, but no Watt vs. Watt

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (December 24, 2017) On Christmas Day, the Houston Texans will host the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium in their final home game of 2017. When the season kicked off, this game was viewed by many as a battle between the two of the top teams in the AFC, with both squads headed to the playoffs and hopefully a possible match-up for the AFC Championship and a trip to Super Bowl on February 4, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Injuries and misfortune befell the Texans; dooming them to a sub-par season and the possibility of a 6-10 record. In order to get six wins in 2017, Houston must beat Pittsburgh and conclude the season with a road win against Indianapolis (3-12) on New Years Eve. 

With all that being stated, the main attraction of the Christmas Day game was going to be a battle between siblings. It was, early in the season, being billed as "Watt vs. Watt," Houston defensive end J.J. Watt (No. 99, shown above) versus Pittsburgh outside linebacker T.J. Watt (shown below). Older brother J.J. against kid brother T.J.; that is what the fans from both cities wanted to see. 

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

With J.J. Watt suffering a tibial plateau fracture in the 42–34 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5 of the season; having both Watt brothers on the field became a moot point. Now the younger Watt will try to help the Steelers get to the Super Bowl while older Watt will be relegated to a support role on the sideline.

Before the injury; J.J. was getting back to true form after playing only three games in 2016. Prior to the injury, he recorded 15 tackles; 11 of them solo. T.J., in his rookie season, has tallied 44 tackles, 34 of them solo, six sacks, and one interception.

In any case, the game will still be a great match-up for football fans, whether they support the black and gold or the deep steel blue and battle red. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on NBC. 

J.J. Watt undergoes back surgery

Photo by Darla S Tamulits
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 21, 2016) It is being reported by ESPN.com that Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (shown left) underwent back surgery on Thursday, July 21, 2016. It was the second surgery in the past six months. As a result, he will begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list and will miss the preseason for the Texans. In January, 2016, Watt had the first procedure in which partially torn core-area muscles, three adductor and two abdominal were repaired. The defensive end has never missed a game during his time with the Texans. Houston kicks off the pre-season with an August 14, 2016 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco. They will play their first home pre-season game on August 20, 2016 against the New Orleans Saints.

Houston defeats Jacksonville 30-6; wins AFC South

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 3, 2016) The Houston Texans punched their ticket to the NFL Playoffs on Sunday, January 3, 2016 with a 30-6 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. With the victory, the Texans win the AFC South; their first division title since 2012. Houston head coach Bill O’Brien discussed the Texans’ playoffs with the media in the post-game press conference.

“We got to really take advantage of the momentum that we have.  We got to put extra time in because there’s more to it than this hat. Congratulations on this hat but let’s keep getting some hats.”

The Texans drew blood first on a 29-yard field goal by Nick Novak. The drive lasted 3:30 and cover 47 yards in eight plays. Novak is now 16-of-18 in field goals this season. They added to their lead 46 seconds into the second quarter when quarterback Brian Hoyer connected with running back Jonathan Grimes on a 12-yard pass for the touchdown. The drive covered 79 yards in 10 plays; lasting 4:33. Novak split the uprights for the extra points, his 27^th in 28 attempts this season.

The Jaguars answered at the 10:13 mark in the second quarter with a 43-yard field goal by Jason Myers to make the score 10-3 in favor of the Texans. Houston added 10 points in the final 5:37 of the first half. Grimes again got the call and romped the final three yards of a 42-yard, six play drive for his second touchdown of the game. Novak added the extra point to give the Texans a 17-3 lead. With three seconds remaining in the first half, Novak booted a 51-yard field goal to give Houston a 20-3 advantage with 30 minutes to play.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved

After a bit of give and take during the third quarter, Myers added three points to the Jacksonville total as result of a 34-yard field goal with 43 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Texans added an insurance field goal with 3:24 remaining in the game when Novak connected from 51 yards out for the score. They added another touchdown when Kareem Jackson picked off a Blake Bortles pass intended for Allen Robinson with 3:09 remaining in the game. He returned the interception 27 yards for the score. Novak added the extra point to take the score to 30-6.

Hoyer was in good form, coming back from concussion protocol, completing 25-of-40 passes for 249 yards and one touchdown. He discussed the season after the game in the press conference.

“It’s been a crazy year, but we’ve stayed the course. When we could have split apart, we really came together. I was just always staying ready. I never knew when that opportunity would come. It came a few weeks later and eventually, after the Colts game, I was back. It was just one of those things that for me, dealing with that adversity, coming in every day and staying ready, and then having to come in and deal with the injuries and stuff like that, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Billy (O’Brian).”

Alfred Blue carried the ball 21 times for 102 yards while DeAndre Hopkins caught seven passes for 89 yards. Grimes, with his two touchdown passes, caught four passes for 27 yards. Defensively, J.J. Watt accounted for eight tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble.  Brian Cushing tallied six tackles and one forced fumble. Bortles completed 17-of-32 passes for 239 yards and one interception for Jacksonville. Robinson caught five passes for 108 yards while Jonas Gray carried the ball nine times for 23 yards for the Jaguars.

Houston Texans remain at top of AFC South despite 27-6 loss to New England

Photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved.

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (December 15, 2015) Two field goals were all they could manage on Sunday night and that was not enough for the Houston Texans, as they fell to the New England Patriots by the score of 27-6 at NRG Stadium in Houston on December 13, 2015., With the loss, the Texans fall to 6-7 for the season, but remain in a first place tie for the lead in the AFC South with the Indianapolis Colts.

The Patriots jumped out to a 7-3 lead after 15 minutes with a Tom Brady short pass to wide receiver Keshawn Martin for the touchdown. Stephen Gostkowski split the uprights for the extra point. The Texans added a 37-yard Nick Novak field goal with 2:42 left in the first quarter.

The Texas and Patriots traded field goals in the second quarter with Gostkowski scoring from 43-yard out at the 12:18 mark for New England. Novak added the second Texan field goal with 9:30 remaining in the half. Novak’s 45-yard kick closed out the scoring for the Texans. With 19 seconds left in the half, Brady hit tight end Rob Gronkowski with a one-yard pass for the touchdown. Gostkowski again added the extra point to give the Patriots a 20-6 lead at the half. The Patriots added another touchdown in the fourth quarter on a two-yard run up the middle by running back James White and Gostkowski’s extra point.

Offensively, Brady was 22-of-30 in the air for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Texans’ quarterback Brian Hoyer completed 11-of-12 passes for 155 yards before he left the game with a concussion. T.J. Yates replaced Hoyer as the signal caller and completed one pass for four yards.

Texans head coach Bill O’Brien was questioned by the media concerning Hoyer in the post-game press conference after the game. He stated:

 “Well first I’ll tell you, there’s nothing more important than the health and safety of every player in that locker room. I think that’s paramount. That’s number one, and as far as those things go, I think obviously it’s too early to tell. Obviously whenever you suffer a concussion like that, multiple concussions within a five or six-week span, obviously the player himself is concerned about that. Nobody is more concerned than I am because of my relationship with Brian and his family. I think that the Houston Texans will always do what’s best for the player.”

He was also questioned about defensive end J.J. Watt playing with a broken hand.

 “Yeah, there are two parts to the answer of that question. First, one thing that I will say is that he will get more and more adjusted to having that club on his hand, without the use of his fingers. That is the type of athlete he is, that is the type of worker that he is. He is just a great player. But I think the other thing too is to look at, when you watch him play, it’s not all about the stats. He put a lot of heat on (Tom) Brady. He did a lot of things in the running game to help stop the run. Even though he may not have been the one making the tackle, he was very disruptive, along with (Jadeveon) Clowney, along with some other guys in there, so he still is his disruptive self. Just because it doesn’t always show up on the stats sheet doesn’t mean he didn’t have a good game. I thought that he played a whale of a game.”

Next up for the Texans is a Sunday, December 20, 2015 match-up against Indianapolis. The game will kick off at 12 noon CST at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Case Keenum leads Texans to win over Baltimore in his first game back in Houston

Case Keenum (7)  at Houston Texans Training Camp
during Auguist, 2013.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (December 22, 2014)  With a new quarterback at the helm, the Houston Texans upset the Baltimore Ravens by the score of 25-13 at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014. With the wins, the Texans raised their season record to 8-7 and remain in the hunt for a wild-card playoff berth.

Leading the Texans on the field was former University of Houston and Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum. Prior to this week, Keenum was on the practice squad of the St. Louis Rams. He was released from the Texans on August 31, 2104 and was picked up on waivers the next day by the Rams.

On Dec. 15, 2014, he was acquired from the Rams and was announced as the starting quarterback late Saturday evening (Dec. 20). The Texans have used four quarterbacks in 2014.

Keenum, who started preparing for the game on Monday, Dec. 15, completed 20-of-42 passes for 185 yards. He also rushed for 19 yards on four carries. The win was the first for Keenum, who was 0-8 in 2013 when he started the second half of the season for the Texans.

Andre Johnson caught six passes from Keenum for 65 yards, while Arian Foster carried the ball 25 times for 96 yards. J.J. Watt led the defense with eight tackles, seven of them solo, along with one sack.

With one game to go in the regular season, the Texans will begin to prepare for the 3-12 Jacksonville Jaguars, which they will play on Dec. 28 with a 12 noon CST kickoff at NRG Stadium.  The Texans are currently in 2^nd place in the AFC South, behind the 9-4-1 Cincinnati Bengals, who play Denver on Monday night, Dec. 22 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.

Houston to face Atlanta in second test of preseason

J.J. Watt signs an autograph for a young fan after
Thursday's practice session.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved
 

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

 

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 15, 2014) With the Houston Texans beginning their current preseason schedule with a 32-0 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, many fans are wondering if 2015 is just going to be a reboot of 2013, where the Texans went 2-14.

There have been a few changes on Kirby Street, with a new head coach, new offensive and defensive coordinators and a new starting quarterback, but what most people witnessed against Cardinals didn't seem like much of anything had changed.

New head coach Bill O’Brien has implements changes designed to bring the Texans back to the top of the league and eventually lead them to the playoffs.

Houston will take to the grass inside NRG Stadium for their first home exhibition gave of 2014 against the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday, August 16, 2014

The Falcons arrived in Houston on Tuesday, August 12 in preparation for the matchup; which includes three combined training sessions on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Being able to practice with the team they are going to face on Saturday certainly should provide players from both teams to excell and catch the eyes of the coaches and staff who will determine if they will make it past the final roster cuts and be able to play the regular season.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was signed as a free agent on March 20, 2014, started at quarterback and played the entire first half, completed six of 14 passes for 55 yards while throwing two interceptions.

Case Keenum is working to regain his starting
role as quarterback in 2014.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

Former Houston Cougars quarterback and Texans starting quarterback from 2013, Case Keenum completed three of five passes for 29 yards.

He played the entire third quarter with rookie Tom Savage competing two of three passes for 14 yards.

The offense could not seem to get the ball moving down the field; only generating 172 net yards and possessing the ball a little less than 18 minutes on offense.

The only bright side from the game was the defensive duo of defensive end J.J. Watt and rookie linebacker Jadeveon Clowney.

With each player seeing limited action, they both picked up a solo tackle, with Watt adding a sack to his preseason statistics.

The duo were involved on every play and their penetration and aggressiveness will certainly help the Texans as the preseason continues and the regular season begins.

The Falcons are coming off a 16-13 preseason win over the Miami Dolphins and a 4-12 record in 20-13.

Game time on Saturday is set for 7 p.m. CDT in Houston.