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This Texans-Steelers JJ Watt Trade to Unite the Watt Brothers Could Actually Work

By Steven Kubitza

The Houston Texans could find a track package that works to send JJ Watt to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Houston Texans could find a track package that works to send JJ Watt to the Pittsburgh Steelers. / Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

Houston Texans fans may already be in shock this week after Bill O'Brien traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for David Johnson. He clearly got ripped off and his team got worse in the process.

That may have Texans fans worried about what he could do next. Well after the Steelers signed Derek Watt, who joins brother TJ on the team, inklings have emerged about the possibility of the best of the bunch, JJ, making a move to Pittsburgh. Well, considering O'Brien's track record, we can't rule anything out when it comes to the Texans, and if the Steelers truly wanted to be home to all three Watt's, this trade package could possibly get it done.

The Steelers need to shed salary so one move that makes sense is Pittsburgh sending both Bud Dupree and Vance McDonald to Houston. Dupree had the franchise tag put on him at just over $15 million and is a free agent after the season. McDonald is making $4.9 million and has an $8.4 million club option in 2021.

Watt is making $15.5 million in 2020 and a few smaller roster moves by the Steelers would get them back in the positives in the salary cap. To complete such a trade, the Steelers would also have to throw in draft picks. A 2021 first-round pick and a 2020 third-rounder would be more than enough to convince O'Brien to make the move.