J.J. Watt, the former face of the Houston Texans, has stirred the football world by expressing his readiness, willingness, and capability to play for his former team, should the scenario call for his intervention.
J.J. Watt: I told DeMeco Ryans I'll play if the Texans need me. https://t.co/A69On5rdxZ
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 5, 2024
At his recent charity softball match, Watt made it known that he had communicated his intention to DeMeco Ryans, the Texans’ Head Coach.
Watt substantiated his claim by asserting he would readily don the Texans’ shirt if it could possibly tilt the balance in Coach Ryans’ favor.
“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 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.”
J.J. Watt said he'd only come out of retirement if DeMeco Ryans 'absolutely' needed him and asked him to come back for one more year. He sounds very content in retirement as a dad, husband and @NFLonCBS analyst @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/isOXYZWXMj
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 4, 2024
Watt displayed exemplary courage and durability during his stint with the Texans, which spanned from 2011 to 2020.
He then shifted base to the Arizona Cardinals, for two seasons in 2021 and 2022.
The year 2022 marked Watt’s first year of retirement. However, the 35-year-old never shied away from signaling his openness to a potential comeback.
Watt has always been a crucial part of the Texan’s defensive line-up, and his potential return could be a significant addition to the team.
Whether the team needs him to fill a positional gap or just to bring back his veteran leadership on the field, Watt appears eager and poised to make an impact.
If Watt is to return, it would not just mean a boost to the Texans’ defence but also a fillip to the team’s morale.
This could potentially trigger a much-needed rejuvenation for the team’s upcoming season.
