JJ Watt signs a two-year deal worth $31 million to join the Cardinals

On Monday morning, a random tweet from a Peleton account said Houston Texans unrestricted free agent JJ Watt had narrowed his teams down to the Packers, Browns, and the Bills.

Not so fast, internet.

Per Adam Schefter, Watt signed a two-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals for $31 million, with $23 million guaranteed. Paying Watt $16 million per season is a gamble, though. Arizona is betting on Watt playing 16 games, something he did in both 2020 and 2018. In three of the past five seasons, Watt has played eight games or less. When he’s on the field, Watt remains one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.

Watt, Chandler Jones, and an aggressive defensive coordinator make an already good Cardinals defense even more dangerous. For San Francisco, you do whatever it takes to re-sign Trent Williams now. There’s no time to low-ball him or pinch pennies. Williams proved he’s an elite left tackle. Many believe Williams re-signing with San Francisco was inevitable, but this could be the move needed to ensure a deal gets done.

What are your thoughts? Did Arizona pay too much? Can the 49ers get by without paying Williams now?