Back in the 2021 offseason, the Green Bay Packers faced a unique opportunity to bring home one of the NFL’s all-time great defensive talents.
JJ Watt, the future Hall of Famer, had become a free agent after his long tenure with the Houston Texans, and his top preference was to join the team from his home state.
However, the Packers never extended a formal contract proposal to him, leading Watt to eventually commit to another franchise.
Instead, he inked a deal with the Arizona Cardinals, where he delivered strong performances across two seasons.
In 23 appearances for Arizona, Watt accumulated 13.5 sacks, with a notable 12.5 coming in his last year on the field.
Watt shared these details during a recent guest spot on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday.
“I wanted to play for the Green Bay Packers when I was a free agent and they were not interested,” Watt said.
He explained that Green Bay remained his ideal destination, but the lack of interest from the front office forced him to look elsewhere. Only after no proposal materialized did he opt for the Cardinals as his next chapter.
When asked about the potential cost to secure his services for the Packers, Watt indicated it wouldn’t have required a massive investment.
“$5 million would have gotten it done, but they didn’t make me an offer,” Watt said.
This disclosure left host Pat McAfee visibly astonished, particularly given Watt’s expressed desire to play in Green Bay. Watt’s legacy in the league is undisputed, positioning him as a first-ballot Hall of Fame candidate upon eligibility.
Across a 12-year career spanning 151 games, he registered 114.5 sacks along with 70 passes defensed. His dominance earned him three Defensive Player of the Year honors, cementing his status as one of the premier edge rushers of his era.
As a native of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, who honed his skills at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Watt had deep ties to the state and its flagship NFL team. Many fans have long imagined him suiting up in green and gold, adding a hometown hero to the Packers’ storied defensive lineage.
Yet, the organization’s decision not to pursue him meant that dream never came to fruition.
This missed chance continues to spark discussion among supporters, highlighting what might have been a bargain addition to bolster Green Bay’s pass rush during a competitive window.
