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Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Green Bay, or Kansas City would be my guesses.

Gun to my head I say Pittsburgh

I hope it's not Pittsburgh, obviously. Seeing him in that uni and facing him more than once a year would suck.

But I also kinda feel like he's barely got anything left in the tank but it would be damn exciting to see how he'd produce in our D.

Unless it's us, I'm feeling Green Bay. I'll also throw out Chicago only because his wife plays pro soccer there. That town would love to see him on the Bears D.

Who else? Indi? Tampa Bay? Can they afford him? Chiefs?

I just like the fact that it has begun.

Next cap casualty? Exciting times

Looking at Spotrac, even with Pouncey retiring the Steelers are still like $20 mill over the projected cap for 2021. Of the teams that were in the playoffs this year the only ones that can afford Watt without making changes are Us, Indy, Tampa Bay, Miami and Seattle. And Indy has no QB.

I really think we should pass on JJ Watt. He's been injury prone the last 5 years and I really don't know how much he has left. I feel we should sign someone younger in FA or draft a promising player we can develop long term. JMO

I tend to agree with you.

Be sure to watch the firesale from the Steelers at least as they attempt to get under the cap.

Biggest thing I think they can do is to see if they can trade Ben and see if a team is willing to take on financial conserderations too. That said Ben is old and needs a run game to be effective

Outside of Garrett, who do we have that is just as talented (and less injury prone) as Watt? Why would you NOT want him on your team?

Honest question... would you expect Watt to be more or less fragile than Vernon (not including Vernon's last injury... that can happen to anyone)?

I can't see anyone wanting Roethlisberger (and certainly not his contract) at this point. It looked to me like he can't throw any more.

I'm not sure "more or less" makes that much difference. Both have been injured a lot over the past few years and both will be going into the downside of their careers.

I'm not really opposed to signing Watt if we can do it on a short term deal for a reasonable price but I'm not sure those are realistic expectations. It's just that it's a band aid and not a solution. My hope is we wait it out a bit and look for an actual solution.

We've all said this about Ben's decline for several seasons and we have been wrong each time. This year we might be right.

1 time out of 10 ain't bad!

I would think Pittsburgh would rather re-sign Bud Dupree than bring in JJ Watt. But I don't think Watt is coming here either.

I don’t think we will sign J.J. Watt but I wouldn’t mind if we did. He’s not going to command a huge salary commitment and he’s still probably better than any other player we can sign in free agency.

Watt might cost less.

If Pitt signs Watt, we should sign Dupree.

I would expect Watt to be just as fragile as Vernon. Vernon started for us I don't know whether Watt had more snaps than Vernon or not. Either way as I said I would rather sign a guy in FA, preferably younger than Watt, or draft an edge rusher and work him into our D. I'd like Bud Dupree if he gets released.

I think Dupree is a free agent.

Isn't Dupre a 3-4 outside LB? How would he fit in our defense?

Correction: Dupree is an unrestricted free agent.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/bud-dupree-16746/

JMHO, he doesn't fit. And he made 15 million plus and wants big contract. He's 269 lb LB who tore his ACL...had stomach injury too.....he doesn't fit size wise or money wise. We'll spend money wiser I think....GO Browns!!!

Myles Garrett weighs 271. Dupree can rush the passer from the edge and he can seal the edge on a running play. That's all I care about. Whether he starts from a stand-up position or from a 3-point stance matters not at all to me.

3-4 OLB is a 4-3 DE


He has size, speed, power. He already plays everything a 4-3 DE is asked to do in terms of rushing and playing the run and he does it well, plus he drops into coverage occasionally (although he's not good there). Basically, he has size akin to Myles and also has the athleticism to play LB to go with that.

All else being equal, however, there are other names we can go after that will be MUCH better at getting after the QB. I'm not sure they'll be as good versus the run, but they will definitely be better at pass rushing, they're younger with less wear and tear, not coming off ACL surgery, and should cost less.

Who are you thinking of that's better than Dupree at rushing the passer? The ACL injury is a concern, but he *should* be able to play next season, plus you would think that the injury reduces the price.

Why would JJ Watt want to play for the Browns.

https://www.si.com/nfl/browns/browns-maven-features/why-jj-watt-to-browns

I don't think he's coming here...

but I'd love it if he did... I've watched him the last 10 years.... he was the heart and soul of the Texans defense... whenever the team needed a play he made it... he still has some left in the tank... would be a great 1-2 year sign.

we still need DB help though... but having Watt on your team and you've got a solid pass rusher and amazing leader

He has a name, but doesn't have much game. Vernon played better.

Dang. Tough crowd. 2020 was the first year he was mostly healthy and didn't show up in his career.

Sacks-TFL's-QB Hits:
WATT: *** VERNON:
2012: 20.5-39-43 *** 3.5-3-9
2013: 10.5-22-46 *** 11.5-13-16
2014: 20.5-29-51 *** 6.5-9-13
2015: 17.5-29-50 *** 7.5-18-36
2016: * 3 games *** 8.5-17-23
2017: * 5 games *** 6.5-6-12 (12 games)
2018: 16-18-25 *** 7-5-21 (11 games)
2019: 4-4-21 (8 games) *** 3.5-4-11 (10 games)
2020: 5-14-17 *** 9-12-16 (14 games)

Just realized Vernon has missed 17 games in the last 4 seasons. Terrifying thought that Watt has actually been healthier than Vernon for the last 3 years. Yuck.

Anyway, Watt had 21 QB hits in half a season in 2019. 2020 was the 1st and ONLY year Vernon had better stats. Watt was still the better player as Houston's D had no one else for the O-line to block.

Living in Houston there was a reporter who asked JJ if he wanted to go play with his brothers in Pittsburgh? He repsonded with a quick "NO, we fight too much!" Interesting!

I posted my opinion on the subject but our FO knows more than me and may have a different opinion. If they feel Watt can help us and his price is reasonable fine. We can still sign another FA or draft an edge rusher for the long term. As long as the moves improve the team. That's the most important thing.

I would take Watt in a heartbeat. He can do it all, and is a great locker room guy. Him and Garrett would be tough to deal with.

Makes us a perfect fit for him. He has enough for us left. Show me!

Ngakoue
Okwara
Leonard Williams
Duane Smoot
Carl Lawson
Haason Reddick


All younger and as productive or moreso.
Don't get me wrong, at 28 yrs old, he wouldn't be bad at all, but he will command a much bigger price, too.

Thanks for the reply. We'll stay tuned - it should be an interesting and (hopefully) exciting off season.

Watt was the only defensive player the Texans had this year... he got a ton of focus this year...

Watt isn't the guy he use to be but he's a leader and still has a lot left in the tank... this year has been tough on him emotionally and I think it affected his game play... I'd expect a steller season this year from him.

If the price is right I'd pick him up in a heartbeat.