Caleb Harris
3 times NFL Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt retired from the NFL after 12 seasons in 2022, finishing on a high note by racking up 12.5 sacks at age 33 for the Arizona Cardinals.
Now 35 and with his Houston Texans, the team where he played his first 10 seasons, looking like a contender after winning the AFC South division in the first year of coach DeMeco Ryans’ tenure as head coach, member of the 2010s and current All-Decade Team NFL analyst for “NFL Today” on CBS Sports is opening the door to returning to football for another year to play for his former Houston teammate. The current Texas coach played one top-seven season for Houston with Watt in 2011.
“I’m a very fortunate man. I have a beautiful wife, a beautiful son. I had 12 great years in this league and I’m very grateful that I came out healthy and playing well,” Watt said. said Saturday, via SportsRadio 610 in Houston when asked how he resists the allure of coming out of retirement to play for the Texans. “I told DeMeco last year, ‘Don’t call unless you absolutely have to, but if you call, I’ll be there.’ And he knows not to call unless it’s absolutely necessary. This is the last year I’ll tell him that, because I’m not going to keep training the way I’ve been training, but he knows that if he ever actually does. If you need it, I’ll be there to help you, I don’t foresee that happening.
However, if injuries deplete the Texans’ defensive line midway through the 2024 season, Watt hasn’t completely closed the door on a return. Although he said the upcoming 2024 season is the last year he will train his body to be ready for his return to football.
“I don’t want that to happen,” Watt said of the Texans needing him because of injuries. “I hope everyone stays extremely healthy, dominates and doesn’t need any other bodies. And I can just watch and enjoy on the couch.”
Houston general manager Nick Caserio is also open to the potential of Watt returning to the Texans.
“I have a lot of respect and appreciation for JJ,” Caserio said on the “Pat McAfee Show” On thursday. “When I got the [GM] work in February ’21, he was one of the first players I spoke to. Certainly respectful of JJ, his career, what he’s done for the organization. What he did for the city of Houston. I’m not going to speak for him about what he wants to do regarding football. I’ll let him reveal that on his show. … It’s too early. And may. The season doesn’t start until September, and then you look at the players at the end of October, November. Case by case, between him and [Tom] Brady, we’ll see who comes back first. … He [Watt] There is always an open door both organizationally and in the city. He earned it and absolutely deserves it.
