J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans walks to the locker room prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 13, 2020, in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Texans 36-7. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images/TNS)
J.J. Watt got his wish when he was released by the Houston Texans last week.
So now what? Clearly the three-time NFL defensive player of the year isn't ready to retire (although no doubt the Zac Brown Band would love to have him as a full-time member of its security staff).
Multitudes of fans are clamoring for Watt to sign with their beloved teams. The franchise most likely to pull that off is the Cleveland Browns, according to BetOnline, which has given the team 4-5 odds of landing the five-time Pro Bowler.
Cleveland.com reports that Watt is looking for a team that could compete for a Super Bowl and can pay him his market value. Fresh off their first postseason appearance since 2002 and first playoff victory since 1994, Baker Mayfield and company appear to meet the first requirement.
And unlike some of the teams directly below them on the list, the Browns should have the immediate salary cap space to sign Watt, who was due to make $17.5 million with Houston in 2021.
Some Browns fans consider it a done deal.
The Green Bay Packers have the next-best odds of signing Watt at 5-1. Aaron Rodgers and his teammates were one win removed from the Super Bowl this year, but the Packers likely would need to make roster moves to free the cap space for Watt.
Pittsburgh was once considered a likely destination for Watt, mainly because younger brothers T.J. and Derek play there.
But the Steelers have major cap issues already and don't have a real need at defensive end, so they have dropped to No. 3 on the list with 11-2 odds.
The Buffalo Bills are next at 7-1, and the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers follow with 15-2 odds. The Rams are around the middle of the pack at 16-1.
Watt tweeted about free agency Wednesday morning, but offered no clues about where he might end up.
"Free agency is wild," he wrote.
Meet the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2021
Peyton Manning
Former Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was in his first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After 14 seasons with the Colts, Manning finished his career with the Broncos.
Manning played on two Super Bowl-winning teams, was a five-time MVP and a 14-time Pro Bowl selection. Manning earned Super Bowl MVP honors when the Colts won Super Bowl XLI. Manning threw for 71,940 yards and 539 touchdowns overall during his 17-year career.
Charles Woodson
Former Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers defensive back Charles Woodson was also in his first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Woodson played 18 seasons between the Raiders and Packers.
Woodson was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and won a Super Bowl ring with the Packers in 2011. The defensive back finished his career with 65 interceptions, 33 forced fumbles and 20 sacks.
Calvin Johnson
Former Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson was in his first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Johnson played nine seasons with the Lions before suddenly retiring at the age of 30. At 35 years old, Johnson will be the third player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at age 35 or younger.
Despite his successful career, Johnson only played in two postseason games. Johnson finished his career as the Lions' leader in receptions (731), yards (11,619) and receiving touchdowns (83).
John Lynch
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos defensive back John Lynch had been a finalist eight times before his enshrinement for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After 11 seasons with the Buccaneers, Lynch finished the last four years of his career with the Broncos.
Lynch was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and helped the Buccaneers win a Super Bowl title in 2003. Lynch finished his career with eight seasons of 80 tackles or more.
Alan Faneca
Former offensive lineman Alan Faneca was a finalist five times before being selected as a member of the 2021 class. Faneca played 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, two with the New York Jets and one with the Arizona Cardinals.
Faneca helped the Steelers win the Super Bowl in 2006. Faneca was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and missed just one game throughout his career.
Drew Pearson
Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Drew Pearson was elected as a senior inductee after waiting 37 years since he retired from the NFL. Pearson played 11 seasons with the Cowboys before his career ended early due to a liver injury from a car accident.
Pearson was a first-team selection to the All-Decade team of the 1970s and helped the Cowboys win a Super Bowl in 1978. Pearson finished his career with 489 catches, 7,822 receiving yards and 48 touchdowns.
Tom Flores
Former Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks head coach Tom Flores was elected as the only coach finalist on the ballot this year. Flores also played nine seasons in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl with the Raiders in 1970.
Flores is one of two Hall of Famers to win a Super Bowl as a player and coach. Flores is the first Hispanic quarterback to win a Super Bowl and the first minority head coach to win a Super Bowl in NFL history. Flores went 97-87 as a NFL head coach and won two Super Bowls with the Raiders in 1981 and 1984.
Bill Nunn
Former Pittsburgh Steelers scout and personnel executive Bill Nunn was enshrined in the contributor category of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Nunn worked within the Steelers organization from 1968 until he died in 2014.
As a scout, Nunn contributed to six Super Bowl-winning teams that spanned more than 35 years in the NFL.
