One of the greatest defensive players in NFL history might be looking to make his return to the field if the opportunity presents itself.
J.J. Watt, arguably the greatest player in Houston Texans history, left the door open to return and play for the Texans if the team, and more specifically head coach DeMeco Ryans, calls his phone.
Watt and Ryans played together in Houston during the 2011 season after Watt was selected with the 11th overall pick in the first round. Ryans became the Texans head coach in 2023 and led the team to a 10-7 record becoming the first rookie head coach to reach the playoffs with a rookie quarterback.
The Texans already have a loaded roster and it would take a lot of convincing to bring Watt back into the locker room, but Ryans is the only man who could get him to do it.
“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 on Saturday during his annual charity softball game in Houston. “I told DeMeco [Ryans] last year: ‘Don’t call unless you absolutely need it, but, if you ever do call, I’ll be there.”
It’s not a definite answer but Watt has kept himself in playing shape since retiring from the league in 2022 and the offer won’t stay on the table much longer.
“[Ryans] knows not to call unless he absolutely needs it,” Watt added. “This is the last year I’ll tell him that, because I’m not going to keep training [how] I’ve been training.”
After spending the 2023 season off and living the retired life, Watt took notice of the new culture Ryans’ was creating in Houston and showed support from afar for the team that drafted him despite finishing his playing career with the Arizona Cardinals.
“I don’t anticipate that happening, because they have a very good crew,” Watt explained. “I hope that everybody stays extremely healthy and they dominate and they don’t need any bodies, and I just get to watch and enjoy it from the couch.”
Texans general manager Nick Caserio is also open to the reunion with the former Houston legend after making an appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show” Thursday.
“I have a lot of respect and appreciation for J.J.,” Caserio said. “When I took the job in February of ’21, he was one of the first players I actually spoke to. Certainly respectful of J.J., his career, what he’s done for the organization. I’m not going to speak for him about what he wants to do relative to playing football… He always has an open door both organizationally and in the city. He’s earned that, and he absolutely deserves it.”
Depending on the health of the team’s defensive line late in the season, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Watt potentially return and help lead the team on a playoff push. Never say never, but it definitely seems like this is the last season we could see it happen.
