Despite enjoying his retirement, former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is open toward an NFL comeback. However, he is only ready to entertain the idea under specific circumstances.
During a recent chat with reporters, Watt revealed that he would return to professional football if asked so by Texans’ head coach DeMeco Ryans. Additionally, the Texans have to “absolutely need” him on the field.
“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,” Watt said. “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 and Ryans previously played together on the Texans in 2011. Back then, Watt was in his first season with the franchise, but it proved to be the last in Houston for the Ryans.
Watt spent the first 10 years of his NFL career with the Texans, becoming a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year while setting a number of franchise records. He later spent two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals before retiring following the 2022 NFL season.
