The Cincinnati Bengals need pass rushers to join the team in the coming months. However, a few members of Cincinnati’s roster want free agent J.J. Watt to be an answer at that position. Though the Bengals have needs up and down the roster, Watt would undoubtedly help the team fill a key spot. Additionally, he could rejoin a former teammate, another defect from the Houston Texans‘ once-robust defense.
[pickup_prop id=”4945″]
A Pair of Star Cincinnati Bengals Want Free Agent J.J Watt to Wear Their Stripes
The Cincinnati Bengals and star free agent talent aren’t always a perfect fit. However, with calls from key players on their roster and a ton of cap space, luring J.J. Watt could be enticing. Star slot receiver Tyler Boyd first recruited Watt to Cincinnati on Valentine’s Day with a late-night tweet. However, when defensive tackle D.J. Reader endorsed Watt coming to Cincinnati, things become more interesting. Reader, who joined the Bengals last offseason on a four-year, $53 million deal, played the first four seasons of his career with Watt in Houston.
Wild place but the jungle is also wild.. 😁
— Dj Reader (@Djread98) February 17, 2021
While the Cincinnati Bengals might not be the flashiest landing, Watt’s familiarity with Reader and the Bengals’ upward trajectory could be appealing. Further, Watt would certainly help a team still trying to build a strong culture and defensive front. For one, the team needs to get better results with their pass rush. They ranked dead-last in the league with just 17 sacks all season. They also ranked 30th in the NFL with a 19-percent pressure rate. Last season in Houston, J.J. Watt added 17 quarterback hits and five sacks, solid figures for the veteran.
Currently, there are rumors linking the free-agent Watt to all three of the Cincinnati Bengals’ AFC North rivals. Watt’s brothers, T.J. Watt and Derek Watt play for the Pittsburgh Steelers and he’s reported to be “seriously considering” joining the Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, he makes sense to land with the Baltimore Ravens, a Super Bowl contender with an excellent defensive reputation. Persuading Watt to join Cincinnati helps the team get better and prevent facing him twice a season.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
