By all accounts, J.J. Watt wants to join a contender, and the Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans were all playoff teams after Week 17. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Dozen teams already interested in All-Pro J.J. Watt?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 2/12/21

Former Houston Texans defensive superstar J.J. Watt officially orchestrated his exit from the only NFL home he's known on Friday and then didn't have to wait even 12 hours to receive looks from other clubs.

ESPN's Ed Werder reports that approximately a dozen teams have shown interest in acquiring the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year:

From NFL sources

NFL sources: Approximately a dozen teams have shown interest in JJ Watt since he became an immediate unrestricted free agent. Included among those teams are the #Steelers, #Browns, #Bills and #Titans.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) February 13, 2021

Watt had $17.5 million and one year remaining on his contract but asked for his release from the Texans at a time when Houston is on the cusp of rebuilding and potentially either weeks or months away from trading quarterback Deshaun Watson. Earlier in the day, ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi reported that Watt does not wish to link up with brothers T.J. and Derek, who are both with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's possible Pittsburgh's unsettled salary-cap situation is scaring the 31-year-old off heading into the new NFL year next month.

By all accounts, Watt wants to join a contender, and the Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans were all playoff teams after Week 17. Examining only the financial aspects of a potential transaction, logic suggests the Steelers wouldn't be able to compete in a bidding war for Watt's services.

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