Texans' Watt on extension: 'I sure as heck hope that we can make something happen'
J.J. Watt's first three seasons in the NFL have him poised to receive a big payday, and the two-time Pro Bowler is hoping it comes from the Houston Texans.
“I love the fans that we have, I love the relationship that we have," Watt told Brian Smith of the Houston Chronicle. "The city’s so great and the way that they’ve treated myself and my family, I couldn’t ask for a better place to play.
“I sure as heck hope that we can make something happen … And I hope that I’ve given the effort and everything they could want to hopefully show that appreciation (back).”
Selected with the 11th pick in a deep 2011 draft – that has already seen Patrick Peterson, Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick already get paid – Watt hopes his employer rewards him for the success he's achieved through his first three seasons.
“When you look around the league and you see a couple guys from the 2011 draft class get contracts, it’s just nice to see appreciation being shown,” said Watt.
“With the new (collective bargaining agreement), I think one of the goals was to make guys earn their pay. No more big paydays up front … When a team gives a contract after the third year, they’re saying, ‘We think you’ve earned this.’ And so, I don’t know if (the Texans) feel that way or not. But I sure hope I’ve put in all the work and I’ve put in everything I can do to hopefully earn it.”
JJ Watt is not the only one who wants an extension. I hear #Texans have been very engaged recently, making progress to a new deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 19, 2014
The 25-year-old's four-year, $11.237-million deal is set to expire at the end of the season.