Former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt recently said he would be interested in a return if the Texans needed it, and head coach DeMeco Ryans seems thrilled.
“I love to hear J.J. saying he’s ready,” Ryans said, via Sean Pendergast of SportsRadio 610. “I’ve got his number ready to go just in case we need him. … I may need to make that call, so I’m happy that it’s open from him.”
Watt retired from football after the 2022 campaign, which he spent with the Arizona Cardinals.
However, the superstar pass rusher is most known for his decade-long run with the Texans.
Watt, who played his collegiate football at the University of Wisconsin, was selected by Houston with the 11th overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft.
It didn’t take long for Watt to establish himself as one of the league’s most dominant players, as he racked up 20.5 sacks as soon as his second season.
Between 2012 and 2015, Watt made four straight trips to the Pro Bowl while also notching four consecutive First-Team All-Pro selections. He also won three Defensive Player of the Year awards during that stretch, leading the NFL in sacks twice.
Injuries ended up derailing the back half of Watt’s tenure with the Texans, as he played in a grand total of 32 games between 2016 and 2019. He then played a full 16-game campaign with Houston in 2020, but logged just five sacks as it became clear that he was in steep decline. Watt joined the Cardinals that ensuing offseason and bounced back in his second year with the club, rattling off 12.5 sacks.
Apparently, that last season is still fresh in Ryans’ mind.
“I need him now!” a laughing Ryans said. “I need to make that call right now. Anytime J.J. Watt’s ready to go, I’m ready to go.”
We’ll see if J.J. Watt ultimately returns to the field in Houston in 2024.
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