KC Chiefs should absolutely chase J.J. Watt this offseason

On Friday, the NFL’s transaction wire is going to have a surprising name on it: defensive end J.J. Watt. The Houston Texans decided to part ways with their defensive superstar on Friday, per NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, which means he will become an unrestricted free agent. And the Kansas City Chiefs should do anything and everything they can to convince him to join the roster.

Watt is a household name at this point in his career. He’s a future Hall of Fame pass rusher who should have enjoyed closing his career with the same team that drafted him, one who should be chasing AFC South titles and hoping to go further in the postseason. Instead, he’s spent the last few years on a dysfunctional team looking worse by the moment.

When the Texans decided to part ways with Watt, they gave him an opportunity to find a real chance at the Super Bowl ring that has always evaded him over 10 professional seasons. In fact, Watt has never even played in a conference championship. Enter the Chiefs, who could be the perfect short-term home to provide him a late-career opportunity that others cannot.

The Chiefs will enter the coming year with a major hole opposite Frank Clark along the defensive front. Alex Okafor had his contract restructured last spring, which means he’s scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent. The same can be said of Taco Charlton, who was only in K.C. for a single season, and Tanoh Kpassagnon, who just wrapped up his rookie deal after four seasons with the Chiefs.

The Chiefs must make the call to J.J. Watt.

At defensive end at this point, the Chiefs have Clark on one side and Mike Danna on the other side. Tim Ward and Demone Harris are both on the roster as promising young players who could surprise and earn a rotational role, but the Chiefs need an infusion of talent at end, someone who can raise the ceiling.

Watt would be, of course, a stopgap, since the Chiefs also need some youth at the same position. But he would also bring a motivated veteran who is looking to chase the elusive Lombardi. Watt has a questionable health record, yes, but he played all 16 games last season for Houston and he remains a defender that opposing coordinators must plan for (usually around).

The finances would have to work, of course, and perhaps Watt would rather play with his brother, T.J., in Pittsburgh. But the Chiefs absolutely have to pick up the phone and at least kick the tires on the idea of bringing in Watt to play along a defensive line that also has Clark and Chris Jones heading into next season. It could be the best chance for Watt to chase his Super Bowl dreams, and it could be what the Chiefs need in the interim along the defensive front.