How the Packers can benefit from signing J.J. Watt

If the 2021 season started today, the Green Bay Packers would be serious Super Bowl contenders.

Now add a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year to the roster. It’s could prove to be a difference-making signing for the NFC finalists.

J.J. Watt is that player.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Houston Texans are releasing Watt, who has been one of the best defensive players in the league over the past decade. He will be free to sign with any team that makes him an offer and there isn’t a team in the NFL that shouldn’t be interested.

If it comes down to the team that offers the most money, the Packers stand no chance. Over The Cap projects Green Bay to have negative-$28.2 million in cap room for 2021, something the team needs to address before the start of the new league year next month.

Restructuring deals, releasing players, and contract extensions will be the path to the Packers getting under the cap, but even then it would be difficult to offer Watt a huge deal.

Packers can offer a Super Bowl push

Watt is an eight-time All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowler, and twice has led the NFL in sacks. You name the award, Watt’s achieved it. With 101 career sacks and still an excellent pass rusher, it’s clear what he can bring to Green Bay. But why should he choose the Packers?

Now, there is something the Packers can offer that many other teams can’t.

A Super Bowl push.

In the past two years, Green Bay has made the NFC Championship Game. One was at Lambeau Field as the No. 1 seed. If Watt’s focus is on winning a ring before he retires, the Packers will be one of the best landing spots.

The Packers have been close. Very close.

Aaron Rodgers is the NFL MVP. Davante Adams, David Bakhtiari, Jaire Alexander, Kenny Clark, Za’Darius Smith, and Elgton Jenkins are all star players and under contract for 2021 and beyond. The pieces are there for this team to make another run next season.

By adding Watt, the defense could take a huge step forward. With Watt, Smith, Clark, and Rashan Gary, the Packers would boast one of the league’s strongest pass rushes.

In the secondary, Alexander is an All-Pro and Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage form one of the league’s best safety duos. With a couple more additions to the secondary, it will be in great shape.

Watt has a chance to chase a Super Bowl ring. If that’s his number one aim, the Packers will be one of the best options for him.

Not to mention, this is his hometown team. He was born in Wisconsin and played his college football for the Badgers.

In 2019 when the Packers hosted the Texans for joint practices, Watt got to enjoy the special bike riding tradition at training camp. Now he could get the chance to enjoy the tradition on a regular basis.

The Packers can’t offer the big money other teams could, but if Watt’s number one focus is winning a ring and he’s willing to take a hometown discount, it could be a possibility.

Would there be a better fairytale ending to Watt’s Hall-of-Fame career than him returning home and helping the Packers bring home the Lombardi Trophy?