J.J. Watt becomes highest paid defensive player in NFL history.
It’s no secret that when you think of the Houston Texans, defense always comes to mind highlighted by their defensive-end, J.J. Watt. Before their season opener this Sunday at home against RG3 and the Washington Redskins, the Texans finally gave J.J. his big pay day, ensuring he was their true franchise player.
With the team still suffering from the lack of a real quarterback, their defense will definitely be one of the most exciting in 2014, with Watt joined by the no. 1 overall pick from last spring’s draft, JaDeveon Clowney.
The 25-year-old superstar now sees an extension $51.8M, guaranteed more than any other NFL defensive player in league history and becomes highest paid defensive player in the league. Heading into the 2014 season, he still had one more year left on his contract, including a franchise tag that was looming; but the Texans decided to lock him up for the long term starting 2016. Awkwardly, the former NFL defensive player of the year was scheduled to make less than 245 fellow defensive players heading into the season.