HOUSTON – Retired Texans defensive end J.J. Watt announced his plans for football season.
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has been hired as a studio analyst for CBS Sports’ NFL shows on Sundays.
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“I love the game too much to be away from it entirely,” Watt said in a social media video. “It really is a great opportunity. I’m very excited to be joining CBS Sports to contribute across all their NFL shows and platforms. Hopefully, fans will enjoy the insights and knowledge I’ve gained over my 12 years in the NFL and, if we’re lucky, we’ll share a few laughs along the way.”
Watt, 34, is regarded as a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’s a five-time All-Pro selection and a former Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
“We are thrilled to welcome J.J. to the CBS Sports family and add one of the greatest defensive players of all time to our team,” CBS Sports president Davis Berson said. “As he steps off the field after a Hall of Fame career, J.J. brings deep passion, unique insights and opinions from today’s NFL. We think fans will love what J.J. brings to our coverage.”
Content in his retirement, leaning into his post-football life as a husband, father, minority owner of a Premier League soccer team and a budding golfer, Watt recently put it all into perspective while reflecting on his pending induction into the Texans’ Ring of Honor.
Watt will be honored on Oct. 1 at NRG Stadium against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game against his younger brother, star outside linebacker T.J. Watt.
Drafted by the Texans in 2011 in the first round, the Wisconsin native emerged as a lock to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day, piled up a franchise-record 101 sacks, and met his wife, professional soccer player Kealia Ohai Watt, who gave birth to a son named Koa last October.
“I think hands down, the melting pot that is Houston, has made such a significant impact on me,” Watt said during a Zoom call. “I mean, I grew up in Wisconsin. I didn’t experience a massive amount of different cultures or different experiences, so when I got to Houston, I got to experience all different things. I got to experience all different types of diversity in people, food, cultures, backgrounds, and everything. That played a huge part in my development as a person and human. Obviously, meeting my wife and changing my life forever in that way was a massive part of my experience down there, as well.
“But, the fans, the teammates, the coaches, my life doesn’t look anywhere near the same if I don’t get drafted out of Houston, and I didn’t experience the experiences I experienced over those 10 years. I’ve said many times before that I live the life that I live because NFL fans support the league and support the teams, and Houston fans supported me. It’s no secret that I get to live in a nice house, and I get to drive a nice car, and I get to provide a nice life for my son because of these great fans. I’m extremely appreciative and grateful for that. It’s never, ever lost on me how cool that is.”
Watt joins the late Texans owner and founder Bob McNair and wide receiver Andre Johnson as the third member of the Texans’ Ring of Honor.
Released by the Texans at his request in 2021 before signing with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent, Watt doesn’t feel any need to sign a ceremonial one-day contract to retire as a member of the AFC South franchise.
That kind of sentimental gesture is unnecessary, in his opinion.
“We talked about this at that time of the release,” Watt said. “Obviously, they were going through a very tough time, a difficult time. We knew this day was going to come, that we were all going to reunite and come back together. As far as the one-day contract, I personally just don’t really understand or see the reason for it.
“It’s more just a ceremonial piece of paper. I think that the Ring of Honor and all that comes with it is more than enough. I think they’ve done it first class the whole way and I appreciate that. I haven’t even filled out or done any retirement papers or anything. So, I don’t really feel the need to sign a one-day contract or anything. It’s just a piece of paper.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.