(SportsRadio 610) - J.J. Watt can't pinpoint the moment he realized his time with the Texans was over.
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year spent his first 10 seasons with the Texans before signing with the Arizona Cardinals this offseason.
Watt and the Texans parted ways in large part due to the team rebuilding with a new general manager and head coach. And since Watt no longer had a guaranteed contract with Houston, it made sense to release him if there was not an ideal trade partner for both sides.
It seemed clear to Watt that it would get worse before it got better for the Texans.
Watt spoke with Houston media members Thursday afternoon ahead of the Cardinals hosting the Texans on Sunday. He said the scouting report was necessary, with how few former teammates remain on the team.
When asked if he got a sense there would be this much roster turnover when he spoke with Texans leadership over the offseason, and whether that is in part why he wanted to leave, Watt simply answered "yes" on both fronts.
Watt could see the writing on the wall. He knew the Texans likely would not be any good, and felt confident the Cardinals were building something special in Arizona.
Now, the 1-5 Texans are trying to establish an identity, while the 6-0 Cardinals are the only remaining undefeated team in the league.
"I saw opportunity," Watt said. "I saw a team that was moving in the right direction and that I could hopefully come and help move even further in that direction. It's been everything I expected and more so far and I'm really enjoying it."
Watt was also asked about Whitney Mercilus being released by Houston earlier this week in his 10th season. Both players were on the team at its height, when Houston was winning AFC South titles and routinely making playoff runs.
They also were here for the tough times, going 2-14 in 2013 and 4-12 last season.
"It's tough, you know," Watt said. "As a guy who was in Houston for the whole time Whitney was there and knowing how long he was there as well, we were there during the best times the organization has ever had. And we've also been there for some of the most difficult times the organization has ever had. That's one of the toughest parts for me, is knowing how unbelievable that fanbase is and knowing how unbelievable that city is and the support they show for the team when everything is going great and it is at its peak.
"It's a beautiful thing and I wish that for that city. I know what it was like and I hope that some day that can happen again there."
Brandon Scott manages digital content for SportsRadio 610. Follow him on Twitter @brandonkscott.
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