After being released from the Houston Texans, veteran defensive end JJ Watt was one of the most-wanted free agents earlier this month.
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He was pursued by a host of top NFL teams that reportedly included the likes of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, and even NFC North big boys Green Bay Packers.
However, it was ultimately NFC West franchise Arizona Cardinals that won the race for his signature. JJ Watt signed a 2-year deal with the Cardinals worth $28 million.
That can increase up to $31 million provided certain performance-related bonus clauses are met. But what helped Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim lure the 31-year-old defensive star to Glendale?
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JJ Watt becomes latest big-name signing for the Arizona Cardinals
Former NFL star and reputed GM Steve Keim was the latest guest on The Rich Eisen Show earlier today. He revealed how popular country-folk singer, Blake Shelton, helped connect with JJ Watt as other teams stepped up their efforts to bring in the former Texans’ defensive end.
“He (Blake Shelton) made some videos, recruiting videos for me. So he’s, he’s not a fair-weather fan. He is all in….I mean, you have to do what you can, Rich,” Keim said on the show.
Congratulations @JJWatt and welcome home to the @AZCardinals my man!!! I will be fielding all inquiries on behalf of Steve Keim. Our first statement is as follows.. “Other teams can suck it”.
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) March 1, 2021
The Cardinals faithful surely owe a debt of gratitude to Shelton for helping bring in one of the most in-demand players this summer. Watt returned from injury in 2020. However, his final season in Texas ended on a dismal note with a 4-12 record.
He will join former teammate DeAndre Hopkins in Arizona. In Watt and Chandler Jones, coach Kliff Kingsbury’s team now have one of the strongest defenses in the league. In Kyler Murray, Larry Fitzgerald, Hopkins, Jones, and now Watt, the Cardinals boast a plethora of talent.
They own the 17th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, which is scheduled to be held between April 29th – May 1st, 2020. Coach Kingsbury will be banking on his new superstar to help challenge for the NFC West title in the upcoming 2021 NFL season.
Fans will be eager to flock to the State Farm Stadium and see their latest big-name signing. Let’s hope they can do that later this year.
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