Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has been a nightmare for opposing offenses since arriving in the NFL, and after winning his third Defensive Player of the Year award this past season, Watt is entering the conversation as one of the all-time great defensive players.
Watt's immediate impact on the league has been nothing short of incredible, as he is only the second player to win three Defensive Player of the Year awards (2012, 2014, and 2015) joining arguably the greatest defensive player in NFL history, Lawrence Taylor (1981, 1982, and 1986).
The former Giants Hall of Fame outside linebacker placed Watt in his top-four list of defensive players in NFL history behind only himself, Reggie White, and Deacon Jones. "I think he's one of these guys that only comes around once every 20 to 30 years," said Taylor. "Every time I watch film on him or I see a game he's playing in, the first thing that comes to my mind is this guy can go all day."
The Texans pass rusher drew comparisons with Taylor during the 2015 season from a guy who knows him best, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. "Watt's a major force, there are very few players I would put in same conversation with Lawrence Taylor, I would put J.J. in there," said Belichick, who coached Taylor for 10 seasons with the Giants. "He's a dynamic player. He can ruin a game. He's a special player."
Texans fans, and NFL fans in general, should relish every moment that they have to watch the talented defensive playmaker, as it's unknown how long the 27-year-old plans to keep playing. The Texans star defensive pass rusher said Wednesday morning that "he won't be a one of those players that try to play as long as they possibly can," and that he will only continue to play as long as he is "one of the best in the NFL."
While Watt may look to walk away from the game earlier than most in the future, there is no questioning the man's toughness, as he reportedly finished the season playing with five partially or fully torn muscles in his groin, torso and upper legs. Watt also suffered a broken hand in early December and recently said that he had a herniated disk during the season. Despite all these injuries, the 6-foot-5, 289-pound defensive force did not miss a game, and he has not missed a game since entering the league in 2011.
It's unknown how long Watt will continue to play, but after recording 57 tackles, 17.5 sacks and three forced fumbles last season, it looks like he will have at least a few more seasons as the NFL's best defensive player. The Texans have made some big moves in free agency this offseason and are building a contender in Houston, as playing on Championship Sunday is something that has eluded the franchise in its 14 years of existence.
