J.J. Watt: All signs kept pointing to Arizona Cardinals

J.J. Watt said all signs kept pointing towards the Arizona Cardinals after joining the NFL franchise in free agency.

Watt signed a two-year deal with the Cardinals following his release by the Houston Texans in February.

The three-time Pro Bowler, who was drafted by the Texans in 2011, was linked with the likes of the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers.

But Watt opted to make the move to Arizona, where the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year will reportedly earn $31million.

"I give them credit; they attacked from all angles," Watt told reporters during his introductory news conference on Tuesday.

"There was, I think, [general manager] Steve [Keim] and [owner] Michael [Bidwill] and everybody did a great job of, I mean, there were players, there were coaches, there were non-football people whatsoever that reached out and were in my ear and trying to convince me to come down here and tell me all the great things about it, and not only on the field but sending me pictures of Paradise Valley and everything off the field as well.

"So, their recruiting pitch was strong and heavy, but, at the end of the day, I told my wife, you know all signs just kind of kept pointing back down here to Arizona, and in my short time here on the ground, I can tell you that I'm absolutely pleased and couldn't be happier with my decision."

Watt - all-time leader for sacks

Watt is Houston's all-time leader for sacks (101), including posting 20.5 in the 2012 season as he was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year for the first time. 

The 31-year-old went on to win the honour in both 2014 and 2015, while he has also been named first-team All-Pro on five occasions, most recently in 2018. 

Watt has endured injury issues in his career, though he played in all 16 games this past season, logging 52 tackles, five sacks and one interception. 

He will now team up with star Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who guided Arizona to an 8-8 record in the NFC West last season.

Murray has had an unbelievable career

"It's pretty wild now to be on the same team," Watt said. "But, yeah, I've obviously seen his career. He's had an unbelievable career. He's an incredible athlete, and what he's been able to accomplish, he's been a winner at every stage of his life, and that's not a coincidence.

"You're a winner because of the way that you work and because of the aura that you give off and because of the talent that you have, and I think that he has all those things and he's going to continue to win and continue to have success."