JJ Watt to Bills NFL odds: Mitochondria tweet has Buffalo fans giddy over potential Watt free-agent signing

The most in-demand free agent on the market currently – and we say currently because he can sign now and not have to wait until the official opening of free agency on March 17 – is former Houston Texans end J.J. Watt, a future Hall of Famer and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Last week, Watt was dropping hints that the Cleveland Browns might be his next club. On Tuesday, though, Watt tweeted this: "Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell." Buffalo Bills fans are suddenly excited. SportsLine has updated NFL odds on Watt's next team, and the Bills are +1200 fourth favorites at William Hill Sportsbook to win Super Bowl 56. 

Why would Bills fans read something into that tweet? Because the Mitochondria Research Society is located in Buffalo.

Here's a description of what that society does: "The Mitochondria Research Society (MRS) is a non-profit, international organization of scientists and physicians. The purpose of MRS is to find a cure for mitochondrial diseases by promoting research on basic science of mitochondria, mitochondria pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment throughout the world. Mitochondrial diseases are hereditary disorders that affect the ability of cells within the body to produce energy. The society fosters public education and training, and provides a platform for communication and dissemination of knowledge among scientists, physicians, and others interested in mitochondria."

OK then.

According to Merriam-Webster, mitochondrion (plural) are any of various round or long cellular organelles of most eukaryotes that are found outside the nucleus, produce energy for the cell through cellular respiration, and are rich in fats, proteins, and enzymes.

Oh, and mitochondria has the same number of letters as Buffalo Bills. Mitochondria is trending big time on twitter right now.

Buffalo could certainly use some defensive line help as the Bills struggled much of the 2020 season in stopping the run and ranked middle of the pack with 38 sacks. There has been reported mutual interest between Watt and the Bills. Buffalo has about $4.5 million in cap space (not near enough for Watt), and star QB Josh Allen is represented by CAA, the same firm as Watt. 

Some Browns fans are just as excited about the tweet because they are linking mitochondria to the name of the team's home field, First Energy Stadium -- mitochondria generates energy in a cell. Cleveland is the favorite for Watt because the Browns have around $31 million in cap space currently and Watt should thrive playing opposite Myles Garrett on that defensive front.

Watt might have to wait until after the salary cap is officially set so clubs know precisely how much money they're working with in 2021. The cap floor has been set at $180 million and the ceiling likely will not be more than around $184 million – it was $198 million in 2020.

Green Bay was the original favorite to sign Watt as he and his family are from Wisconsin, but longtime Packers beat writer Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently tweeted that's not a good match financially. 

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Favorites as to which team JJ Watt will play for in the 2021 season

• Browns +150
• Steelers +250
• Packers +400
• Bills +500
• Bucs +700
• Titans +900
• Cardinals +1000
• Patriots +1200

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