Former 5-Time Pro-Bowl Defensive Star Open To NFL Return, Under One Condition.
ormer Houston Texans and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, J.J. Watt, is open to a return to the NFL if the Texans need him. Watt shared his sentiment on Saturday as he hosted an annual charity softball game in Houston.
“I’m a very fortunate, lucky man, I have a beautiful wife, I have a beautiful son. I’ve had 12 great years in this league and I’m very thankful to have walked away healthy and playing great,” he told reporters. “I told DeMeco [Ryans] last year: ‘Don’t call unless you absolutely need it, but, if you ever do call, I’ll be there.’ And he knows not to call unless he absolutely needs it. This is the last year I’ll tell him that, because I’m not going to keep training [the way] I’ve been training.”
Watt is 35 years old and retired following the 2022 season. The Wisconsin native spent 12 years in the league, most notably with the Texans for 10 seasons. He put out one of the most remarkable careers that we have ever seen from a defensive end.
In 12 special seasons, Watt was named a five-time First-team All-Pro, two-time Second-team All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowler, two-time NFL sack leader, a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, a member of the Houston Texans Ring of Honor, and had two seasons where he recorded 20+ sacks.
