Former Houston Texans tight end JJ Watt, who became a free agent after parting ways with the club following a decade long stint, has penned a two year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, as both the player and the team officially revealed the news on Monday.
While the details of the contract remain classified, Adam Schefter of ESPN has reported that the deal is estimated to be worth $31 million, which includes $23 million guaranteed.
Going to work my a** off: JJ Watt eyes a new start with the Cardinals
Before the team made the official announcement on Twitter, Watt himself shared a photo from his workout session, which he has been frequenting these days, while donning a Cardinals shirt, along with a witty caption “source: me.”
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Minutes after Watt’s post took the NFL Twitter by storm, Cardinals themselves tweeted their official welcome of the famed pass rusher into their ranks.
Moreover, the 31-year-old later followed up with another tweet, sharing a couple of pictures from their flight to Arizona that too on the private jet of the franchise owner Michael Bidwill. The photos included Watt posing with Bidwill in front of the jet, and also inside the flight along with his wife Kealia.
“I’m excited to get started,” the five time Pro Bowler iterated after touching down in Arizona, “very excited to get started, get to work, get to know the people of Arizona.”
“The one thing I can promise you is I’m going to work my a** off every single day to make you proud. Very proud to be a part of the ‘Bird Gang’ and the ‘Red Sea.'” added Watt.
Joining the Cardinals will see Watt reunite with former Texans Defensive backs coach Vance Joseph, who currently serves as the Defensive coordinator at Kliff Kingsbury’s company.
The 2011 first round draft pick will also be featured shoulder to shoulder with Chandler Jones, the Cardinals linebacker who is the current league leader in sacks.
Touted as the greatest defensive player in the history of the league, Watt made a total of 128 appearances for the Texans, clocking 531 tackles and set franchise records with 101.0 sacks, 172 tackles for loss, 281 quarterback hits, and 25 forced fumbles. He was named NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year three times and is a five time Pro Bowler.
The 2021 NFL season is scheduled to kick off from 9th September.
