J.J. Watt. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

J.J. Watt reveals his thoughts on a potential NFL comeback

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 5/5/24

J.J. Watt retired following the 2022 season, but would he be willing to lace up his cleats again?

On Saturday night at his charity event in Sugar Land, Texas, the 35-year-old Watt didn't rule out the possibility when asked whether he would consider returning to the gridiron.

"I told (Texans head 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.' But he knows not to call unless he absolutely needs it," Watt said, via Will Kunkel of KRIV-TV in Houston. "This is the last year I'll tell him that because I'm not gonna 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."

“Don’t call unless you absolutely need it, but if you ever do call, I’ll be there.” https://t.co/WtFuqP07w5
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) May 5, 2024

Perhaps Watt made this statement tongue-in-cheek. However, it's worth noting Texans general manager Nick Caserio didn't dismiss the idea that he's flirting with a comeback.

"I'm not going to speak for him about what he wants to do relative of playing football. I'll let him disclose that on your show," Caserio recently said on "The Pat McAfee Show." "Between him and (Tom) Brady, we'll see who jumps back in first."

Watt, who won Defensive Player of the Year three times in 12 seasons with the Texans and Arizona Cardinals, could make an impact if he returns. In his final season with Arizona, he logged 12.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in 16 games.

Regardless, the Texans are in a great position. They upgraded their roster this offseason, signing four-time Pro Bowl DE Danielle Hunter (two years, $49M) and acquiring former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs. As of Sunday, FanDuel gives Houston the ninth-best Super Bowl LIX odds (+1600).

Watt, meanwhile, will probably remain at CBS as an analyst for "The NFL Today." That is, unless he's serious about a comeback.

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