HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans on Friday released star defensive end J.J. Watt, granting his request.
Watt was drafted by the Texans in 2011 with the No. 11 pick and became the face of the franchise, winning three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards from 2012 to '15. He is one of three players to win that award three times.
"I have sat down with the McNair family and I have asked them for my release and we have mutually agreed to part ways at this time," Watt said in a video posted to Twitter.