On Monday, DeMeco Ryans, the head coach of the Houston Texans, responded to the circulating comeback speculations involving retired defensive end J.J. Watt.
The former three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year revealed on Saturday that he advised Ryans to “be there” in the event that he needed help, but to “don’t call unless you absolutely need it” the previous year. It was important for Watt to emphasize that he would not decide to come out of retirement until Ryans phoned and stated that he “absolutely needs it.”
“I won’t be training the way I have been training, therefore this is the final year I will tell him that. However, he is aware that I will support him if he ever really needs it,” the five-time Pro Bowler continued.
Hearing J.J. say he’s ready makes me happy. In case we need him, I’ve got his number ready to go,” Ryans remarked.
Before Ryans was sold to the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2012, the two played together for one season in Houston during Watt’s rookie year of 2011.
In the 2011 NFL Draft, the Texans selected Watt with the 11th overall choice; the Wisconsin native went on to establish himself as one of the league’s greatest defenders ever.
Throughout his first ten seasons in the league, he was selected to the first team of the All-Pro team five times. With 195 tackles for loss, Watt is second all-time in the NFL, behind only Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens. He also led the league in sacks twice.
In addition to winning the 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year title, Watt, 35, has developed a reputation as one of the league’s decent people throughout the years.
Heading into the new season, the Texans boast one of the most stacked rosters on paper. One of their greatest offseason additions was defensive end Danielle Hunter, a four-time Pro Bowler, who they signed to a two-year, $49 million contract.
However, injuries are a constant in sports, so it wouldn’t be shocking to hear Ryans bring up Watt in the middle of the season. With the Arizona Cardinals, he played in 16 games and finished the season with 18 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.
In 2024, Watt is scheduled to return to “The NFL Today” as a part-time studio analyst.
