Before Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, TJ Watt became one of the NFL's premier pass rushers, football fans were already well aware of his older brother JJ Watt. The eldest sibling of the family announced on social media after the Arizona Cardinals' loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime that he'd be stepping away from the game at the end of the season.
https://t.co/alM0DjDzYr pic.twitter.com/zCQ8gAq2WS
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) December 27, 2022
The 33-year-old spent 10 seasons wreaking havoc on opposing offenses with the Houston Texans after they selected him with the 11th overall pick before spending the last two seasons in the desert. The former Wisconsin Badger, just like brothers TJ and Derek Watt, had three AP Defensive Player of the Year awards before his younger siblings had played a down in the pro ranks. He is the only player since 1982 to record a pair of 20-plus sack seasons according to NFL.com, a club that could be Watt-exclusive if TJ can remain healthy and reach the benchmark for a second time.
The only player in league history with multiple interceptions for scores and receiving touchdowns, not named Deion Sanders, has struggled with multiple ailments causing him to play only two full seasons since 2015 (he can add a third by playing in the Cardinals' remaining games against the Atlanta Falcons and San Fransico 49ers).
TJ, the youngest in one of the league's most successful families, reflected on the greatness of his older brother's time in the league while talking to reporters after practice on Friday:
"He's been talking about it for a little bit, never knew how serious to take it," he said about the possibility of his brother hanging up the cleats via Josh Rowntree of 93.7 the Fan. "Super proud and happy for him. I'm excited to see him play these last two weeks and just a helluva career."
Steelers Family Reunion?
JJ Watt (left), Derek Watt (middle), and TJ Watt (right) smile for the camera at the NFL Honors 2022. | Photo by ODU.bz
Pittsburgh reportedly had an interest in making Sundays a very easy one-game-a-week watch for parents, John and Connie, when JJ was on the open market before he signed a two-year deal with the Cardinals in March 2021. TJ was asked if his older bro will be spending more time in the Steel City in retirement:
"We'll see. Hopefully so," the just one-time, so far, DMVP said. "I don't want to put any plans on his plate just yet."
When asked about whether he may be able to talk him out of retirement to actually team up with him for the Steelers
"You'd have to ask him that," Watt laughed.
The 2017 first-round draft pick calmly said "you'll have to ask him," if there's a Brett Favre, Tom Brady, or Rob Gronkowski return to the field in the cards for the Wisconsin native. Should he do it, the Watt brothers could become the first sibling trio to play in the same game for the same team since 1927, although Pittsburgh's Terrell, and at the time Trey, have twice faced brother Tremaine Edmunds with the Buffalo Bills.
It seems unlikely with JJ's recent history and the already hefty price tag the team spends on defense, a pair of Watts will probably have to do, despite how cool it would be to have all three and the only siblings to capture the DMVP award.
So, Steeler Nation, how will you remember JJ Watt's career? Do you think there's any chance of a three-Watt brother team-up in Pittsburgh? As always, let us know in the comment section or on our social media.
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