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Here's why the Texans have another huge decision to make concerning JJ Watt
Nov 10, 2020, 9:59 am
These aren't easy conversations to have. Photo by Getty Images.
For all the fans ready to trade away J.J. Watt, you might be missing something
The Texans' season is just about in the toilet. At 2-6, they have about as good a chance to make the playoffs as I have making Joy Taylor my next ex. Impossible? No, not at all. Likelihood of it happening? I'll probably get struck by lightening first. With that being said, recent reports that claim to have well-placed sources suggest J.J. Watt will be traded in the upcoming offseason. If we're to take some of his comments in recent pressers seriously, Watt seems like he has one foot out the door. So why wasn't he traded before the deadline this season? This season is a wash anyway. They don't own their first or second round picks in the upcoming draft to benefit from such a poor season. Why not move one of your best assets for more draft capital?
Those are questions for Cal McNair. He still has faith in this team's chances of making the playoffs. I have faith he'd fail a drug test because of his belief in them making the playoffs, but that's not why we're here. If Cal still thinks they'll make the playoffs, what will change once they're officially eliminated from playoff contention? Will they give younger guys deeper down the depth chart some playing time to see what they have in them moving forward? Will they hold veteran players back and sit them to keep them healthy? More specifically: will Watt continue to play his normal playing time, or will they sit him to ensure he's not injured when they trade him? Let's take a deeper dive into why this is/isn't a good idea.
Why they shouldn't sit Watt
The Texans shouldn't sit Watt for a number of reasons. For one, they're still paying him. Why pay someone to sit on their butt and not produce? If things calm down more and the capacity grows in stadiums, wouldn't having one of your best players on the field be more financially beneficial? Not only that, but showcasing his talent and that he's healthy would only add to his trade value. I don't see why you'd lose. The most you're going to get for him would be a second or third rounder at the back end of either round. Acquiring more picks helps you flesh out an already talent-deficient roster. Playing him and him playing at a high level could add to his value.
Why they should sit Watt
Given Watt's injury history, the obvious thing to do is to sit him once they're eliminated from playoff contention. Teams who'd trade for him know who he is and what he's capable of when healthy. There's no need to showcase him as if he's some new toy nobody has ever played with so you play with it to create interest. He's the tried and true toy that'll get used no matter what. Knowing that he's been hampered with injuries, you run the risk of him getting hurt, lowering or eliminating his trade value, and leaving yourself in a position where you have to keep him or release him and get nothing. The decision is obvious: sit Watt and trade him to the highest bidder.
There are two schools of thought on most subjects. One group will feel the glass is half full, while the other will look at it as half empty. Either way, you have your opinion and others will have theirs. I'm in the camp of preserving your assets. I'd sit Watt and/or play him sparingly if the Texans are eliminated from playoff contention. They don't have to outright bench him. They could just pull back his playing time and use him as a situational pass rusher. They already passed on the opportunity to hold a contender over the coals at the trade deadline, they can't afford to mess this up again. Trade him to a title contender of his choosing and end the relationship on good terms. That way he'll always be grateful to the organization. Hell, they can still make a statue of him and unveil it when they retire his jersey and induct him into their ring of honor. Do right by the man. He deserves it.
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NFL insiders hint at eye-opening future for Houston Texans offense
Dec 7, 2024, 2:38 pm
C.J. Stroud faced criticism in Houston's last few games as the Texans hit a rough patch after losing just two of their first eight games.
But the second-year quarterback remained confident and his strong performance last Sunday helped the Texans (8-5) to a 23-20 win over the Jaguars to enter their bye with a two-game lead atop the AFC South.
“When he is leading and playing the way he is playing, our entire team feeds off of him,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I am excited for his second year. I think he is showing a ton of growth, he is in a really great spot for us physically, mentally. I really love where he is and I am excited to see how he comes back after the break.”
Stroud threw for 242 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville to leave him ranked fourth in the NFL with 3,117 yards passing this season. That game came after he threw two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee a week before for the team’s third loss in four games.
Those two interceptions brought his season total to nine, which are four more than he threw in 15 games a rookie. But the Texans aren’t worried about that statistic and believe he has grown in his second year.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “There are some plays, like all of our players, that we probably wish he could have back, but happy he’s our quarterback, happy with what he brings to the table. ... Wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team.”
The Texans are in position to win their division for a second straight season despite dealing with several significant injuries on offense. Running back Joe Mixon missed three games early with an ankle injury and leading receiver Nico Collins was sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury.
They also lost four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs for the season when tore an ACL in Week 8.
Mixon leads the team with 887 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns and has added four touchdown receptions. His work in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati has helped the team deal with those significant injuries to the receiving corps.
Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing in seven games.
Stroud has continually raved about Mixon’s contributions on and off the field.
“He’s a servant, a helper,” Stroud said. “That’s ultimately what I want to be as well. Who can I serve and how can I help? That’s ultimately what the game of football is.”
While Mixon has been the team’s most important new acquisition on offense, Danielle Hunter has been Houston’s new defensive star. The defensive end spent his first eight seasons in Minnesota before joining the Texans this year.
He has helped Houston lead the NFL with 84 tackles for loss after piling up 15 this season, which is tied for third most in the league. He also leads the Texans with 10½ sacks to help them rank second with 42.
Hunter been a great addition to a team that already had defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson ranks second to Hunter on the team with 13 tackles for loss and 9½ sacks.
Ryans said this week’s break is much needed for a team that opened the preseason on Aug. 1 in the Hall of Fame game.
“It’s here and we’re going to take advantage of it,” he said. “We’ve been going at it for a long time.”
The Texans need to recharge this week with a brutal stretch of three games in 10 days when they return from their bye. Houston hosts Miami on Dec. 15 before a trip to Kansas City on Dec. 21 and a visit from the Ravens on Christmas Day.
“It’s Christmas and all that, but we can’t worry about that. All we can do is focus on Miami,” Caserio said. “And then when we get through the Miami game, then we kind of turn the page to the next. ... We’re either going to earn it or we’re not. Not to oversimplify it, but that’s the truth.”
The Texans will play those game without starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he received a three-game suspension for his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return for Houston’s regular-season finale against Tennessee.