JJ Watt wanted to play for Packers in 2021, but the feeling wasn't mutual

Wisconsin native and future Pro Football Hall of Famer J.J. Watt wanted to play for the Green Bay Packers while he was a free agent in 2021, but the feeling apparently wasn't mutual.

Watt told "The Pat McAfee Show" that he wanted to sign with the Packers and was even willing to take a massive hometown discount to play in Green Bay.

"I wanted to play for the Packers in free agency. I wanted to go to Green Bay. They were not interested," Watt explained.

His interest in playing for the Packers was communicated through his representation, and Watt awaited a number on a contract offer to consider from Green Bay. But it never came.

"I told my agent, I don't care what the number is. I don't care how low it is. Tell me what it is so I can at least consider it," Watt said. "I'm not saying there's a guarantee to take it. I said if it's $2 million, if it's $4 million, whatever the number is. Put it in front of me, so I can at least consider it against all these options. And they said, we can't get a number."

"I wanted to play for the Green Bay Packers when I was a free agent and they were not interested..

This was right before I signed with the Arizona Cardinals..

$5M would have gotten it done but they didn't make me an offer" ~ @JJWatt#PMSLivepic.twitter.com/o6mSnWmmB5— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 17, 2025

Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year who grew up in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, was released by the Houston Texans in February of 2021. A true free agent for the first time, Watt wanted to go home to Wisconsin and finish his career with the Packers.

"I said my ideal situation for me would be to go play for the Green Bay Packers. That's where I grew up, I watched Reggie White, that would be incredible. I said I'll take a significant, significant hometown discount to play there, but I just need to know what that looks like so I can at least consider it against all options. I was not given a number to consider."

The 2021 Packers had significant resources tied up in Za'Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary at edge rusher, but getting Watt at a major discount could have helped an eventual 13-4 team reach a new level.

Without interest from the Packers, Watt eventually signed a two-year, $28 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals.

"I can tell you right now, $5 million (with the Packers) would have gotten it done," Watt said.

Watt played two seasons with the Cardinals, including an injury-plagued first season in 2021. He produced 12.5 sacks in 2022 and retired from the NFL. Watt now works as a color analyst for CBS.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: JJ Watt wanted to play for Packers in 2021, but the feeling wasn't mutual