The Houston Texans released the three-time defensive player of the year J.J. Watt on Friday after he asked to leave the team. “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,” he said in a video posted to Twitter.

Did J.J. Watt get released?

Watt released by Houston Texans at his request. The Houston Texans agreed to release J.J. Watt, the franchise's decade-long cornerstone and a three-time NFL defensive player of the year.

Why did the Texans release J.J. Watt?

When asked about his decision to release Watt, Texans owner Cal McNair said he wanted to honor the wishes of arguably the best player in franchise history. ... Some fans will laud McNair's decision to allow Watt to choose where he will continue the next chapter of his career.