Report: Packers have shown interest in J.J. Watt

The Houston Texans released All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt on Friday. Teams around the NFL are now checking in on the 31-year-old. 

ESPN's Ed Werder reported on Friday that "approximately a dozen teams" had already shown interest in Watt just a few hours after his release. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans were among those teams. 

According to Sports Illustrated's Bill Huber, the Green Bay Packers have also expressed interest in signing Watt. 

The Packers are an obvious destination for Watt, who has made it known that he wants to play for a Super Bowl contender. Green Bay made it to the NFC Championship Game in 2020 and has MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers on board for the 2021 campaign. On top of that, Watt grew up in Wisconsin, played college football for the University of Wisconsin and grew up cheering for the Packers. 

Before their meeting in 2020, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur called Watt “one of the premier players in the league.”

Watt is undeniably the best player in Texans history, winning Defensive Player of the Year three times and earning five Pro Bowl selections. He is also a five-time All-Pro and was named Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2017.