In the spring, I wrote about how J.J. Watt would have a hard time returning to top form in 2018 after playing in just eight games of the previous two seasons due to major injuries — and costing the Texans $29 million against the cap over that time. I cautioned that, if the Houston defensive end was not able to stay on the field and produce double-digit sacks once again, general manager Brian Gaine likely would be forced to ask Watt to take a pay cut. Or, maybe, Watt would have to be traded or released.
I hoped I would be wrong. I hoped Watt, a pillar of the Houston community, would return to his dominant self. I love what he represents as a dedicated player and a class act. But I admitted to being skeptical.
Well, after Watt’s career-high seven forced fumbles, 16 sacks, a fifth Pro Bowl selection and a full 17 games including playoffs, I'm happy to say, "Mea culpa."
Sorry for doubting you, J.J. It's just unusual for a player in his eighth NFL season to rebound from two lost years. Now he and Andrew Luck are the favorites for NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. The award should go to Watt, who was recently named first team All-Pro for the fifth time.
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Back in training camp, Texans coach Bill O'Brien claimed Watt was primed for a big year, saying his 2014 and 2015 seasons (20.5 sacks and 17.5 sacks, respectively) "were arguably two of the best seasons any player at any position has ever had, and that's what I'm seeing now. … There's no reason he can't do it again." O'Brien knew what he was talking about.
Watt showed up big-time as early as Week 2 against the Titans' strong offensive line with six tackles and two tackles for loss. Then he exploded in Week 3 against the Giants with three sacks and three tackles for loss. He followed that with two sacks and two forced fumbles in a huge Week 4 win in Indianapolis; the Texans were 0-3 at the time, and his performance helped launch the 10-game winning streak that put them back in the playoffs.
It also was impressive that Watt did not wear down at season's end. He had 1.5 sacks in the division-clinching, Week 17 victory over the Jaguars, and he played well in a losing cause against the Colts in the wild-card game.
Watt clearly busted his tail in offseason rehab, but Gaine, O'Brien and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel deserve credit for not giving up on the defensive end. As does the Texans' training staff, led by head trainer Geoff Kaplan, for their diligence on Watt's behalf. Watt also credits his family and girlfriend Kealia Ohai, a pro soccer player who rehabbed her torn ACL alongside Watt.
I've been there as a GM with future Hall of Fame-caliber players whose playing abilities were in question. I'm sure Gaine is breathing a huge sigh of relief, because now Watt’s $13 million salary for next season looks like a relative bargain compared to the $20 million-plus-per-year deals of Khalil Mack and Aaron Donald.
Watt's base salaries jump to $15.5 million in 2020 and $17.5 million in 2021. He will have no dead money against the cap in those seasons. So for the Texans to keep him at those numbers, Watt will need to continue to stay healthy and play at a high level.
Even though Gaine will be trying to fit a new deal for Jadeveon Clowney under the cap, the GM can afford to pay Watt's contract for at least the next two years. It helps that quarterback Deshaun Watson has two years (plus an option year) left on his relatively cheap rookie deal.
But three years down the road is an eternity in the NFL. So for this offseason and throughout 2019, Gaine and O'Brien can be content in not having to fret over Watt’s health and cap hit.
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Meanwhile, Watt will be happy not to be going through another major rehab so he can get himself primed for another big year. He appreciates how far he's come from the down years of 2016 and '17, when he produced a total of only 1.5 sacks.
"Everybody told me I was washed up but there are a whole bunch of people that helped me get back," Watt told ESPN's Sarah Barshop. "It means a lot and feels good just to be back in the game and to be able to perform the way I know I can perform.
"I don't blame anyone who didn't know if I was going to be the same again, because there were times I didn't know."
Thanks, J.J., for letting me and so many others off the hook.
Jeff Diamond is a former president of the Titans and former vice president/general manager of the Vikings. He was selected NFL Executive of the Year in 1998. Diamond is currently a business and sports consultant who also does broadcast and online media work. He makes speaking appearances to corporate/civic groups and college classes on negotiation and sports business/sports management. He is the former chairman and CEO of The Ingram Group. Follow Jeff on Twitter: @jeffdiamondNFL.
