Texans Legend JJ Watt Sends Fitting Message After All-Pro Requests Trade

The Houston Texans have already shown a different mindset than their in-state rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, amid their ongoing standoff with two-time All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons, who officially requested a trade on Friday.

J.J. Watt Opens Up About His Transition From Player to Broadcaster

Texans icon JJ Watt offered his thoughts in the wake of Parsons’ lengthy social media post explaining his situation.

The bottom line: be proactive.

Watt posted on X on August 1 that teams should “Take care of your best players early,” noting that it “Saves money” and “headaches.” Watt also offered a reminder that “the longer you wait, the higher the price.”

Parsons is on the fifth-year option of his four-year, $17.1 million rookie-scale contract.

To the Texans great, Watt’s point, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio speculated on August 1 that the four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro could seek a deal worth $45 million annually.

Texans Legend JJ Watt on Cowboys’ Case Over Player Relations

Watt has expressed similar sentiments before regarding other players’ financial journeys with teams. In March of this year, Watt lauded the Texans for signing Nico Collins to a three-year, $72.7 million extension.

“Take care of your own early, reward them and reap the benefits & goodwill for years to come,” Watt said in a post on X in March.

“Everyone wins.”

Watt, who last played for the Texans in 2020, has been on the Cowboys’ case, particularly owner Jerry Jones, over their handling of Parsons and teammate Dak Prescott.

“Anytime you can publicly take a dig at your star quarterback and your star pass rusher simultaneously, right before the season begins, you just gotta take it…,” Watt posted following comments from Cowboys ownership in July.

“Nothing makes guys want to fight for you more than hearing how upset you are that they got hurt while fighting for you.”

Watt played 10 of 12 NFL seasons with the Texans, and his final two with the Arizona Cardinals.

JJ Watt Sets Record Straight for Fans

Watt had smoke for fans too, with the Texans star correcting several narratives regarding player contracts and how teams handle them.

One fan argued players should respect the contract they agreed to terms on with ownership.

“Ah yes, NFL owners are notorious for honoring contracts,” Watt replied, quoting the fan’s post on August 2. “They would never dare cut a player early and terminate his contract before it’s completed.”

Another fan asked Watt how many times he has extended a player’s contract early with his MLS club, Burnley FC. Watt said they did it “literally this week” for a player with “four years” left.

The Texans have been proactive, much in the way that Watt suggested. They inked All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. to a three-year, $90 million extension in March. They also extended veteran Danielle Hunter on a one-year, $35 million extension.

The big fish for Watt’s Texans, though, is quarterback C.J. Stroud.

He will be extension-eligible next offseason, and his deal is expected to reach historic levels whenever it is finalized.

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Texans Legend JJ Watt Sends Fitting Message After All-Pro Requests Trade

Texans Legend JJ Watt on Cowboys’ Case Over Player Relations

JJ Watt Sets Record Straight for Fans

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