Former defensive lineman J.J. Watt indicates he might be willing to come out of retirement if one team in particular needs his help.
The Houston Texans.
Watt left the door open in comments to a reporter with the Houston Chronicle this past weekend. He suggested that Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is aware of his willingness to fill in in an emergency.
“I mean, I told DeMeco last year, I said, ‘Don’t call unless you absolutely need it, but if you ever do call, I’ll be there,'” Watt said.
I asked J.J. Watt how he resists the temptation to return to football, especially given the Texans’ rise. His answer was interesting.
— B.Scott from Hiram Clarke (@brandonkscott) May 4, 2024
Watt told DeMeco Ryans he’s still training and is ready if he absolutely needs it. pic.twitter.com/Z3gbfqjOA1
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J.J. Watt Return? Not So Fast
Incidentally, it’s thoroughly impossible not to read that quote and sing it like a member of the Jackson 5.
That said, how likely is it that J.J. Watt would pick up the call and “be there”?
First, he already has some strict conditions on the ‘needs’ of the Houston Texans. And a time limit for that matter.
“He (Ryans) knows not to call unless he absolutely needs it,” he told the reporter.
“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 truly does need it, I’ll be there for him.”
Watts dampened the hopes of Texans fans a bit, however, when he added that he doesn’t “anticipate that happening” since his old team has “a very good group.”
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A Very Good Group
The Texans do have a pretty solid foundation to build on after last season.
They experienced a remarkable turnaround, going from a 3-13-1 record in 2022 to a 10-7 record in 2023.
The Texans won the AFC South division title, clinching a playoff berth, and demonstrating significant improvement under rookie head coach Ryans and rookie quarterback CJ Stroud.
In seeking to repeat as AFC South champs this offseason, they traded for veteran RB Joe Mixon and also landed WR Stefon Diggs. The team added free agent DE Danielle Hunter as well. Hunter finished last season with 16.5 sacks.
What if they need some veteran leadership though to get them over the hump? To get them to the Super Bowl.
♪♫ Just call his name and he’ll be there (he’ll be there).
Ryans meanwhile, seems simply thrilled to know he might have J.J. Watt in his back pocket.
“I love to hear J.J. saying he’s ready,” he said in a recent radio interview. “I’ve got his number ready to go just in case we need him. … I may need to make that call, so I’m happy that it’s open from him.”
Watt retired from the NFL after the 2022 season, having spent 12 years in the league. Ten of those were with the Texans before moving to the Arizona Cardinals for his final two seasons.
He is a highly decorated player, being a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and a five-time first-team All-Pro selection.
And, as Bounding Into Sports notes, he is extremely charitable toward his community.
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