UNDATED (AP) — J.J. Watt has suddenly become an intriguing free agent signing to NFL general managers.
The defensive end and the Houston Texans have “mutually agreed to part ways,” ending the tenure of the face of the franchise. Watt said in a video on social media Friday that he had asked for his release with one year remaining on a 6-year, $100 million contract.
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year and 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year has spent his entire career with the Texans after being selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 draft.
Watt is the only player in NFL history to have 20 or more sacks and 10 or more passes defended in a single season after doing it in both 2012 and 2014. He’s tied for fifth among defensive lineman in league history with six touchdowns in the regular season, including three TD catches.
In other NFL news:
— Mike and Maurkice Pouncey have retired after spending a decade among the best centers in the league. The 31-year-old twins made the announcement Friday on their respective Instagram pages. Maurkice Pouncey was a two-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler in Pittsburgh. Mike Pouncey reached four Pro Bowls while playing for Miami and the Los Angeles Chargers.
— The Jacksonville Jaguars and embattled strength coach Chris Doyle parted ways, a few hours after a respected diversity group blasted the team and called the recent hiring “simply unacceptable.” The Fritz Pollard Alliance cited issues involving Doyle when he worked at the University of Iowa. A statement by the alliance says “Doyle’s departure from the University of Iowa reflected a tenure riddled with poor judgment and mistreatment of Black players.”
