JJ Watt Rumors: Star Has Received Contract Offer Worth $15M-16M Per Year in FA

Free-agent defensive end J.J. Watt has received offers up to $15 million or $16 million per year on the open market thus far, according to ESPN's Dianna Russini.

The 31-year-old Watt was released this month by the Houston Texans after spending the first 10 seasons of his career with the franchise. Since he was released, he is free to sign with any team prior to the start of free agency next month.

Watt, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, established himself as the greatest player in franchise history during his decade with the Texans. In 128 regular-season games, he recorded 531 tackles, 172 tackles for loss, 25 forced fumbles, 16 fumble recoveries, two interceptions and a franchise-record 101 sacks.

During his tenure in Houston, Watt recorded 16 or more sacks in a season four times and 20 or more sacks in a season twice. He's one of only three players to win DPOY three times since it was first established in 1971.

However, he missed significant time because of injuries in three of the past five seasons.

While Watt appeared in all 16 games last season and in 2018, he missed 13 in 2016, 11 in 2017 and eight in 2019.

Still, he has produced when he's been available and was one of the few bright spots on an otherwise putrid Texans defense in 2020, racking up 52 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, 14 tackles for loss, seven passes defended, five sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception returned for a touchdown.

Even though he wasn't an elite pass-rusher last season, he still made his fair share of disruptive plays, and it stands to reason that he could return to elite status as part of a more talented defense.

Multiple reports have suggested there is a huge market for Watt. Among them was ESPN's Ed Werder reporting that about a dozen teams were interested, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans.