The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of, if not, the best defensive player in the NFL entering the 2024 season. TJ Watt has been dominant since being drafted by the organization in 2017. He could be on track to have a better overall career than his brother JJ Watt, who will undoubtedly be a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee when he is eligible in 2028. That could be delayed if he decides to come out of retirement and pursue playing with his brother, or helping a Houston Texans team in need of his services. Overall, it seems unlikely that JJ would ever play again, but it can't be ruled out.
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Steelers defensive star TJ Watt (#90) at midfield with his brother JJ (#99) during the coin flip as Pittsburgh and Houston get ready to face off at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
TJ is often a man of few words and all about business when it comes to speaking to members of the media, but he recently joined Kay Adams on her show Up & Adams. The two talked about a number of things, but one of the topics that stood out was when his retired brother came into the conversation. The host asked the 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year about his brother's potential return.
"You'd have to ask him that, but I know he's staying in shape. We talked again last night. I'm always sending him film, he's always wanting to see film, and he's always trying to correct me and help me become a better pass rusher and stuff. So, he definitely is still interested," Watt said. "I don't know how real all that conversation is, you'd have to have that with him, but who knows."
Some players or their siblings would be able to give a clear-cut answer by saying that there wasn't a possibility of a return happening. TJ completely skirted around ruling out a comeback from his brother. JJ remains in phenomenal shape and has the intangibles to be inserted into a defensive lineup without question. One would assume that only two teams would have a chance to convince him: the Steelers or Texans.
JJ had one of the best defender stretches that the league has ever seen from 2012 to 2015. He secured three AP Defensive Player of the Year Awards and, in that time, had 69 total sacks. It was pure domination from the lineman and it will be hard for anyone to mirror that production over a four-season period. Despite him being 35, he could absolutely give a team legitimate snaps during a late-season run.
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JJ and TJ Watt stand together on the red carpet prior to an NFL Honors Awards Show.
The Watt brothers have never played on a professional field together, and the same goes for college, even though both attended the University of Wisconsin. Adams attempted to dig a little bit deeper and get some more information, but TJ kept it short and sweet. It seems that he is confident that JJ could compete at the highest level tomorrow if he needed to.
"We'll see, we'll see. I don't know, he's still in great shape," Watt said.
The Texans are more likely than the Steelers to contend for a Super Bowl in 2024, but anything can happen when it comes to Pittsburgh. JJ returning to the field would have to only be if there was a chance to get his first Super Bowl ring. He wouldn't be coming out of retirement simply to get on the gridiron again. He would need to be enticed with the possibility of making a deep playoff run.
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Former Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman JJ Watt (#99) sprints onto the field prior to a professional regular season contest in Glendale, AZ.
Steelers Currently Worried About Their Own Future Hall Of Fame Candidate
Pittsburgh has yet to sign Cameron Heyward to a contract extension. He could be on his way out the door and into the free agency pool once the 2025 offseason rolls around. JJ played his final two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, and Heyward could have a similar fate if the Steelers elect to not give him the extension that he has been desiring.
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