After 10 years in the NFL all with the Houston Texans, JJ Watt has parted ways with Houston and signed with the Arizona Cardinals. 

   Watt, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and five-time pro bowler will look to continue his dominance and get back to his prime self in Arizona. Since 2016z, Watt has dealt with many setbacks, including seven injuries. His most recent injury, a grade three tear in his chest pectoral muscle, which ended his 2019 season during week eight against the Oakland Raiders. Watt has now fully recovered and is ready to begin his 2021 defensive campaign with his new team. 

   Watt is one of many great NFL players to never have won a Super Bowl, Nor has he even appeared in a Super Bowl. Many suspected Watt to ring chase in his free agency and sign with a legitimate contender. Watts’ decision to sign with the Cardinals came as a shock to many since the Cardinals compete in one of the toughest divisions in the league. Watt has since come out and spoken about his decision saying that it was difficult but all signs kept pointing to the Cardinals. Watt gives credit to the Cardinals on their recruitment. 

   “They attacked from all angles, their recruiting pitch was strong and heavy,” said Watt.

   In an interview with ESPN, Watt said that it was not just the coaches that played a factor in his decision, but there were multiple people recruiting him. 

   “Everybody did a great job, I mean, there were players, there were coaches, there were non-football people whatsoever that reached out and were in my ear trying to convince me to come down here and telling me all the great things about Arizona not only on the field, but everything off the field, as well,” said Watt. 

   Watt was outspoken about how excited he is to play with young superstar quarterback Kyler Murray and the rest of the younger guys who are eager to learn and win. Watt texted Murray the day he signed with the Cardinals saying “I’m here because I believe in you.”

   Watt will also be joining former teammate Deandre Hopkins who he played with for seven years in Houston. While in Houston, Watt and Hopkins were a destructive force on the defensive and offensive side of the ball. Watt also joins his former defensive back coach Vance Joseph who is now the defensive coordinator for the Cardinals. 

   After signing with the Cardinals, Watt wanted to keep his same jersey number, 99, that he wore in Houston. The number 99 was retired in the Cardinals’ organization after being worn by Marshall Goldberg in the 1940’s. Goldberg passed away in 2006, but on Tuesday, Goldberg’s daughter Ellen gave Watt permission to wear the number 99, saying her father was all about the players and that he would want Watt to wear it. 

   “I’m very honored and touched that they thought of me in that way and that I can do that, so I told her that I would do everything in my power to honor him and to make him proud and make his legacy proud,” said Watt.