The JJ Watt Texans Contract – A Win-Win for Both Sides
The Houston Texans have been one of the most intriguing teams in the NFL in recent years, and much of that intrigue centers around the team`s star defensive end, JJ Watt. Watt is one of the top defensive players in the NFL, and the Texans were clearly eager to keep him in Houston for the foreseeable future.
In September 2014, the Texans and Watt reached an agreement on a new contract that was widely hailed as a major win for both sides. Here`s a closer look at the deal and what it means for the Texans and their fans.
The Basics
The contract is worth $100 million over six years, with $51 million guaranteed. That makes it the richest deal for a defensive player in NFL history. It`s also a big step up from Watt`s previous contract, which was worth $11.24 million over four years.
The Details
Of course, the devil is in the details when it comes to a contract like this. Here are some of the key points:
— Watt will receive a $10 million signing bonus, as well as base salaries of $1 million in 2014 and $9.5 million in 2015.
— In 2016, Watt`s base salary jumps to $10.5 million, and it goes up each year after that, reaching $15.5 million in 2020.
— The deal also includes a $10 million roster bonus in 2018 and a $13 million option bonus in 2019.
— The contract is structured so that the Texans can release Watt after the 2017 season without any significant salary cap ramifications. That gives the team some flexibility if Watt doesn`t continue to perform at a high level or if the team needs to clear some cap space.
The Impact
So what does this mean for the Texans and their fans? First and foremost, it means that Watt will be staying in Houston for a long time. That`s good news for a team that has been searching for a star player to build around since the departure of Andre Johnson.
It also means that the Texans will be paying a premium to keep Watt. That`s a price they were clearly willing to pay, though, given how much he means to the team both on and off the field.
The Future
Of course, no one can predict the future, and there`s always a chance that Watt could suffer a significant injury or see his performance decline over the course of the contract. That`s the risk involved in any long-term deal.
For now, though, both the Texans and Watt can feel good about this contract. Watt gets the security of a long-term deal and the chance to earn a ton of money, while the Texans get to keep one of the best players in the league and build around him for years to come.
In the end, that`s what makes this deal such a win-win.
