J.J. Watt believes Texans should be 'in the conversation' as Super Bowl contenders

In his new role with CBS, former Houston Texans defensive end and three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt has to be unbiased with his takes on every NFL team.

So when talking about the Texans in a positive light, it's not because of his loyalty to the team, but rather his belief in the franchise is so high entering 2026.

“The defense is unbelievable," Watt told reporters following Monday's practice. “It’s pretty incredible to watch.”

Everything defensively starts and ends with perhaps the second-best pass-rusher in franchise history, Will Anderson Jr. After two quality Pro Bowl-caliber seasons, Anderson exploded in Year 3, leading the NFL in pressure rate while also totaling 12 sacks. His impact was felt even on plays where he didn't record a sack or tackle for loss.

Watt, who won his first Defensive Player of the Year honor in 2012, mentioned that Anderson has "every tool in the box," including the maturity to win in different fashions. It's led to a fast start in his career and the ability to earn a pay grade as the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL.

“The sky's the limit for Will,” Watt said. “I have zero doubts whatsoever that he will continue to reset the bar for what's possible.”

“The sky is the limit for Will,” said former Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt when I asked about the expectations this season for Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. #Texans#Sargepic.twitter.com/egz73Ufub4

It's not just Anderson, however. Houston has All-Pro-caliber talent at every level of the defense, including middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, defensive end Danielle Hunter, cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter, nickel defender Jalen Pitre and safety Calen Bullock.

When a team is built defensively like Houston, it hard to say anything less than a conference title appearance should be the expectation.

“They should be putting themselves in that conversation, and there's a reason for it,” Watt said. “We've all seen it.”

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: J.J. Watt believes Texans should be 'in the conversation' as Super Bowl contenders