Will J.J. Watt actually unretire? Probably not, but he did tell DeMeco Ryans he would if ‘you absolutely need it’

SUGAR LAND – J.J. Watt is fulfilled in retirement. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year walked away from football following the 2022 season with the Arizona Cardinals after spending the first decade of his career with the Texans, setting all-time franchise marks with 101 sacks, 172 tackles for losses and 25 forced fumbles.

And Watt, 35, a CBS Sports NFL analyst, gets to spend more time with his wife, Kealia, and their son, Koa, and is a minority investor in a professional soccer team, Burnley F.C. in the English Premier League.

Although it’s an extremely unlikely scenario, Watt didn’t entirely dismiss the idea of playing again for the Texans during his charity softball classic Saturday at Constellation Field. That would happen only if Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, his former teammate, makes the call if the team is in dire need at defensive end, which is well-stocked on the roster with Pro Bowl selections Will Anderson Jr., and Danielle Hunter.

“I’m a very fortunate, lucky man, I have a beautiful wife, I have a beautiful son,” Watt said. “I’ve had 12 great years in this league and I’m very thankful to have walked away healthy and playing great. I told DeMeco last year: ‘Don’t call unless you absolutely need it, but, if you ever do call ,I’ll be there.’ And he knows not to call unless he absolutely needs it. This is the last year I’ll tell him that because I’m not going to keep training I’ve been training.

“But he knows he ever truly does need it, I’ll be there for him. But I don’t anticipate that happening because they have a very good crew. I hope that everybody stays extremely healthy, and they dominate and they don’t need any bodies and I just get to watch and enjoy it from the couch.”

Watt was named the MVP of a game that pitted retired Texans, including himself, Ryans, Andre Johnson, Brian Cushing, Shane Lechler, Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, T.J. Yates, Glover Quin and Antonio Smith, against current players Anderson Jr., Dalton Schultz, Stefon Diggs, Jalen Pitre, Nico Collins, Tytus Howard, Jon Weeks and Case Keenum. The legends earned a 14-1 victory.

The game raised $7 million for middle school athletic programs across 40 states through the J.J. Watt Foundation.

• JJ Watt says his Charity Classic is coming back in 2024

Lechler won the home run derby, edging out Keenum. Watt hit a few home runs, too.

“When we started this back when I was in college, the whole reason was because I saw that not everybody had the same opportunities,” Watt said. “I don’t think that’s fair for middle school kids to be punished because adults can’t afford things. I’m really fortunate that we have so many people that share the same feelings and are willing to come out and support and donate.”

Holding his 2-year-old son, Watt threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

“Someday, I’ll be able to show him the footage and be able to tell him how special this all was and what we’ve built down here,” Watt said. “And hopefully teach him, so he can one day do something special like that.”

Quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t attend because he’s on a promotional tour in Japan with Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons. Wide receiver Tank Dell was listed on the roster, but was recently the victim of a gunshot wound in his leg in Florida. Dell is expected to make a full recovery.

Watt predicted a win over the current players on the softball field. He also predicts a lot more success for the defending AFC South champions after they finished 11-8 last season under Ryans’ leadership and won a playoff game over the Cleveland Browns. The last previous playoff win was when Watt was on the team and they beat the Buffalo Bills as he returned from a torn pectoral and sacked quarterback Josh Allen.

“You look at where this franchise was two years ago to where it is today, it’s a credit to everybody in the organization for building something special,” Watt said. “DeMeco is a massive part of that. I think players want to come play for DeMeco Ryans. Houston is a destination. It’s really fun to watch as a former player.”

Watt called the Texans a surprise contender before they played a game last season, and he was correct in his prognostication.

“Mainly because I know DeMeco Ryans,” Watt said. “I know who he is as a person. I know who he is as a coach. I know how much knowledge he has and how personable he is, and how he can get that knowledge to players.”

What’s next for Watt? Not coaching. Those are extremely long hours.

“I don’t want to coach, man,” Watt said. “It takes a special person. I love the act of coaching. I love teaching players things and talking to them about it. I don’t love being at the facility at 5 a.m. and staying there until 9 p.m.

“I have so much respect for coaches because of everything they do. But I’m very fortunate, and I put my body through a lot for 12 years so I can set my own schedule if I want to.”

Watt is looking forward to watching Johnson be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer. The Texans are playing in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, against the Chicago Bears.

“Hearing him talk about having his bust made and how they go through the process, seeing him light up, speaking about what it means to him, love what Andre means to this city,” Watson said. “He went through some very difficult years while this organization was building itself up to where we are now, and he’s extremely deserving of everything he’s got.”

Watt is a fan of the Texans’ new uniforms, especially their red helmets.

The Texans are expected to be involved in several primetime games when the schedule is released this month. Perhaps they could open the season against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

“You know the league loves great matchups and they want to put spotlights on stars and highlight this game,” Watt said. “I don’t know many matchups out there that would be much better than the defending champ Chiefs with C.J. Stroud and the Texans in the opening game. Who knows? But I have a feeling there’s going to be a lot more primetime games in Houston than there have been in the last few years.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.