NEWS: Texans release J.J. Watt

We wouldn’t typically cover a non-Kansas City Chiefs move from around the NFL, but this one certainly hits different. The Houston Texans have released defensive end JJ Watt, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Watt was drafted by the Texans as the No. 11 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Over the last 10 years, he became the face of the franchise and one of the faces of the NFL.

Watt posted a video to his official Twitter account so that he could speak directly to Texans fans regarding the release, calling it a mutual parting of ways.

In six career regular-season games against the Chiefs, Watt compiled 4.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits as the Texans went 2-4. My early thought is he joins the Pittsburgh Steelers, who stand to possibly lose EDGE rusher Bud Dupree in free agency, and already have two Watts — outside linebacker TJ and fullback Derek — on the team.

He can, of course, go anywhere — including Kansas City.