J.J. Watt Signs With Cardinals for Reported Two-Year, $31 Million Deal


The Texans released Watt on Feb. 12 after the two sides mutually agreed to part ways.

Star defensive end J.J. Watt has found a new home following his recent release from the Texans.

Watt posted a photo to social media on Monday showing him working out in a Cardinals shirt. He captioned the picture, "source: me" to announce the news.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Cardinals signed Watt to a two-year deal worth $31 million that includes $23 million guaranteed.

On Feb. 12, the Texans released Watt after the two sides mutually agreed to part ways.

About a dozen teams reportedly expressed interest in signing Watt, who became an unrestricted free agent, at the time of his release. The Browns, Steelers, Bills, Packers and Titans were among the teams who reportedly reached out to Watt over the last few weeks.

Watt, 31, had been a member of the Texans since he was selected with the No. 11 pick in the 2011 NFL draft. In his 10 years in Houston, Watt was named first-team All-Pro five times and won the Walter Peyton Man of the Year award in 2017.

He was set to enter the final season of his six-year, $10 million contract with the Texans. 

The Cardinals went 8-8 last season and finished in third place in the NFC West. The team has not made the postseason since 2015.