JJ Watt pretty much……announces retirement

[Harry]

Glad he’s going out productive and healthy. Does he still hit our cap next year?

They’ll drop him after 6/1. The hit will be $4.8 mil.

 

[Harry]

Now on a selfish Cardinal note, how much cap space does that free to help secure a guy like Zach Allen or Murphy

Doesn’t free anything as he would have been a UFA. That said his bonus has to be absorbed, about $5 mil after 6/1.

 

[az jam]

A very smart move by JJ. He is just 33 years of age, has made millions of dollars, has a heart problem and a brand new baby. As others have mentioned on this post, he can make good money in the broadcasting booth. He can also take it easy and enjoy his family. He is a first class person and has always given contributions to the communities where he played.

 

[football karma]

The problem with the DL was absolutely, 100% clear coming into this season. Keim did nothing about it, relying on Leki Fotu and Rashard Lawrence (the latter of whom I like) to provide rotational depth.

this is so correct

at the beginning of this past offseason, Keim knew the following:

1. the team got run on badly in the last part of the season: see at Detroit, SF at home, SEA at home. All clinching games of varying degrees they lost. Ditto the one playoff game

2. Two of his three staring d-linemen were in the last year of their contracts: Watt and Allen. BTW: Allen hadn't (and still hasn't) played a full season. Watt's injury concerns are well documented

3. The other starter-- Rashard Lawrence hadnt played a full season to that point (and still hasn't).

so in summary: for both 2022 and especially beyond D-line was a need and d-line depth was a screaming need

yet: No d-lineman of note signed, no d-lineman drafted.

 

[SeattleCard]

He was great for us. Glad he was a Cardinal for a short time. Leaves a huge gap in leadership once he's gone.

 

[Jetstream Green]

He’ll make just as much broadcasting as playing is my guess.

Honestly I always felt the attention-seeking stuff from Watt was cringe, but like others have said he put in more effort this year and last into his craft than the majority of our roster and front office.

His behavior can come across as chezzy till you realize he actually believes and practices what he says and is legit

 

[BullheadCardFan]

He's on my 2023 Cardinals calendar for January

 

[juza76]

Michael Bidwill should offer him a job in the management

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

this is so correct

at the beginning of this past offseason, Keim knew the following:

1. the team got run on badly in the last part of the season: see at Detroit, SF at home, SEA at home. All clinching games of varying degrees they lost. Ditto the one playoff game

2. Two of his three staring d-linemen were in the last year of their contracts: Watt and Allen. BTW: Allen hadn't (and still hasn't) played a full season. Watt's injury concerns are well documented

3. The other starter-- Rashard Lawrence hadnt played a full season to that point (and still hasn't).

so in summary: for both 2022 and especially beyond D-line was a need and d-line depth was a screaming need

yet: No d-lineman of note signed, no d-lineman drafted.

meanwhile Calais Campbell still chugging along 6 years later after we let him walk.

 

[Chopper0080]

They’ll drop him after 6/1. The hit will be $4.8 mil.

The contract auto voids prior to the 2023 league year so his hit will be accelerated to the new league year resulting in 7.2 mil in dead money.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

meanwhile Calais Campbell still chugging along 6 years later after we let him walk.

Hey, we replaced him with a first round pick (Nkemdiche) That worked out ok, right?

 

[Chopper0080]

Here is something to piss people off today.

2023 - Two DL under contract totaling 2.38 mil.

2023 Dead Cap - Two DL - 13.1 mil. (Watt and Phillips)

Thanks Steve.

 

[Dayman]

Congrats to JJ for going out on his own terms, especially when he has so much left in the tank. Becoming a parent really does give you a whole new perspective. As does getting your heart shocked back into place, I'm sure.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Here is something to piss people off today.

2023 - Two DL under contract totaling 2.38 mil.

2023 Dead Cap - Two DL - 13.1 mil. (Watt and Phillips)

Thanks Steve.

Good lord.

 

[Russ Smith]

Thanks to JJ great career and great year this year for the Cards.

Class act all the way around take care of your health and your family.

 

[oaken1]

Sad, but good for him. Im gonna miss JJ

bright side...I can get me a 99 jersey when they go on sale

 

[Totally_Red]

Here is something to piss people off today.

2023 - Two DL under contract totaling 2.38 mil.

2023 Dead Cap - Two DL - 13.1 mil. (Watt and Phillips)

Thanks Steve.

Exactly. JJ was one of the very few good Keim signs. Phillips was more typical of his idiocy.

 

[Harry]

The contract auto voids prior to the 2023 league year so his hit will be accelerated to the new league year resulting in 7.2 mil in dead money.

I know the contract had 3 voiding years. I thought the Cards still retained the option to determine when to take the hit. Who’s your source on the hit being immediate.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

lmao

Speechless how Keim has ran this roster into the ground.

Guy has no clue how to properly construct a team & Bidwill let him do it for 10 seasons.

It’s a lot easier to digest when you realize he’s been drunk on the job for the last several years. Even worse most of Hardy knew too and Bidwill still did nothing.

 

[bankybruce]

The contract auto voids prior to the 2023 league year so his hit will be accelerated to the new league year resulting in 7.2 mil in dead money.

Just looked it up and this appears to be correct.

 

[Harry]

Just looked it up and this appears to be correct.

Where

 

[Stout]

Exactly. JJ was one of the very few good Keim signs. Phillips was more typical of his idiocy.

This year yes, last year no. Out for way too long last year to be a good signing. Really wish those season could've been flipped for us.

 

[swagron]

Good to see a good guy go out on his own terms.

 

[Ronin]

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[RON_IN_OC]

Here is something to piss people off today.

2023 - Two DL under contract totaling 2.38 mil.

2023 Dead Cap - Two DL - 13.1 mil. (Watt and Phillips)

Thanks Steve.

The piss poor cap and contract management by Keim is one reason why Kliff may get another year, if they hire a strong GM. I don't know if another good coach would want to take over in AZ, knowing they have another year to clear cap space and get Murray healthy to then start the rebuild. Might as well see what a competent GM can do with a patchwork roster and have Kliff navigate one more time.