Tag: JJ Watt

Retired Arizona Cardinal J.J. Watt speaks with the press during the 19th annual Pat's Run outside Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on April 15, 2023. Running Pat S Run J J Watt

J.J. Watt joins CBS Sports as NFL studio analyst

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt agreed to a multi-year contract to appear on CBS Sports, the network announced Thursday.

Per CBS Sports, Watt will serve as an NFL studio analyst across the network’s various platforms beginning this upcoming season.

“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,” David Berson, president of CBS Sports, said in a statement. “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.”

Watt, 34, announced his retirement from the NFL in December after 12 seasons.

A five-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl honoree, Watt also was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team.

“I love the game too much to be away from it entirely,” Watt said in a statement. “I’m very excited to be joining CBS Sports to contribute across all their NFL shows and platforms, including working alongside and learning from JB (James Brown), Coach (Bill Cowher), Boomer (Esiason), Phil (Simms) and Nate (Burleson) this fall. Hopefully fans will enjoy 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 as well.”

Watt inadvertently provided a few chuckles while revealing the news on Twitter.

After mistakenly telling his followers that he got a job at “CVS,” Watt quickly posted another video and turned his hat around.

“A little pro tip out there for anybody starting a new job. Don’t screw up the announcement,” Watt said. “It’s not a good way to start your first day on the job — especially if that job is at a global network with millions and millions of viewers, hundreds of Emmys — you just want to start off on a better foot.

“I will be working at CBS this fall, the key was on the hat the whole time.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 10, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (99) reacts with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) after Hopkins scored a fourth quarter touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Coduto-USA TODAY Sports

Hopkins out, Watt hopeful for Cardinals’ playoff game vs. Rams

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Arizona Cardinals will be without playmaker DeAndre Hopkins on Monday when they face the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in an NFC wild-card game in Los Angeles.

Cardinals’ coach Kliff Kingsbury said Wednesday that Hopkins is not ready to return from the knee surgery he had last month to repair a torn medial collateral ligament.

Hopkins, 29, hasn’t suited up for Arizona since its 30-23 loss to the Rams on Dec. 13. Hopkins caught five passes in that game for 54 yards before suffering the knee injury that has sidelined him for the past four games.

In 10 games this season, Hopkins — a five-time Pro Bowl selection — caught 42 passes for 572 yards and eight touchdowns.

Kingsbury did say that the Cardinals are hopeful to have star pass rusher J.J. Watt practice this week. Watt could return as early as Thursday.

The Cardinals placed Watt on the injured reserve list on Nov. 6 after he suffered a shoulder injury. The five-time Pro Bowler has played in just seven games this season, tallying just one sack and 10 quarterback hits.

Watt was non-committal about playing against the Rams when talking to reporters on Wednesday though, saying, “We’ll make that decision as Monday comes closer.”

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year added: “If it feels good in practice, it’ll feel good in a game.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 6, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) runs onto the field before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Free agent J.J. Watt reportedly has $15M-$16M offer

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Free agent J.J. Watt received at least one offer for $15 million to $16 million annually, ESPN reported on Thursday.

Watt was released by the Houston Texans at his request and the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has described his first foray into the open market as “wild.”

Several teams have been connected to Watt, who was a first-round pick out of Wisconsin and spent his entire career to this point with the Texans.

The home-state Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills are rumored to be contenders.

Watt might not be basing his decision entirely on money, considering his contract with the Texans would have paid him $17.5 million in 2021.

Watt turns 32 on March 22 and ESPN reported he has received “multiple offers.”

–Field Level Media

Jun 11, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt (99) talks to the media during a press conference in the media room at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Crennel, Texans will tolerate Watt’s frustration

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Houston Texans head coach Romeo Crennel can tolerate defensive lineman J.J. Watt’s frustration.

As Crennel sees it, Watt’s boiling point is borne of an intolerance for losing.

“He will not feel better until we start winning. If we don’t win, he’s not going to feel better,” said Crennel.

The Texans won’t win this week. The team is on bye and big changes could be made via trade.

Crennel is focused on in-house issues, including finding time for a sit-down meeting with Watt. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year again voiced his frustration with the results Sunday following a lopsided loss to the Green Bay Packers.

“We can talk about what’s happening and what he perceives to be the issues and see if we can get those straightened out. But a lot of it will have to do with the guys who play on either side of him because J.J. is a pretty consistent player himself,” said Crennel, who was elevated to interim head coach after Bill O’Brien was fired. “So, what we have to get those other guys is to be as consistent as he is. If we can get that done, then I think that we’ll improve. I think that if he sees that and sees that we are trying to improve and get better, I think that that will make him feel a little better.”

The Texans are a work in progress in terms of their personnel and scouting department as the trade deadline nears. O’Brien had final say on roster decisions and oversaw the football operations department. Crennel is one voice in that department as Houston hits reset, but his voice will definitely count when trade offers come rolling in this week.

“They’ll come to me and we’ll sit down and we’ll make a decision about what we think is best for the team. I’ve been informed of some possibilities but nothing definite right now,” Crennel said.

Watt is not thought to be on the trade block but with no first- or second-round pick in the 2021 draft, Houston might be more intrigued by such an offer right now. His name has been mentioned as a possibility for multiple teams, including the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints. Watt said none of the rumors change his focus.

“My goal since I got here was to bring a championship to Houston,” said Watt. “That remains my goal until the day I’m not a Houston Texan anymore.”

–Field Level Media