J.J. Watt left the door open for a potential NFL comeback, although he admitted that the door is closing quickly.
Watt, who announced his retirement after the 2022 season, said at his charity softball game on Saturday in Houston that he’d suit up for the Texans if he was truly needed.
“I’m a very fortunate, lucky man, I have a beautiful wife, I have a beautiful son,” Watt said. “I’ve had 12 great years in this league and I’m very thankful to have walked away healthy and playing great.
“I told (former teammate and current Texans coach DeMeco Ryans) last year, I said, ‘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, but he knows that if he ever truly does need it, I’ll be there for him. I don’t anticipate that happening — they’ve got a very good group.”
Watt, 35, played for the Texans from 2011-20 before finishing his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals (2021-22).
Houston bolstered its pass-rushing group by signing Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry, who last season recorded 16.5 and 11.5 sacks, respectively.
Watt is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, five-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team.
Watt currently is an NFL analyst for CBS Sports.