Brother Reunion? T.J. Watt Speaks on J.J. Watt Retiring, Potential to Join Steelers

PITTSBURGH — J.J. Watt announced that he would be retiring at the end of the 2022 season on Tuesday, but that has not stopped some speculation occurring that perhaps the eldest Watt brother could be coaxed out of his position by his brothers.

T.J. Watt and Derek Watt are both suiting up for the Steelers, but with the eldest Watt’s looming retirement it seems that all the brothers will not play on the same team in their NFL careers. Or could that actually end up happening? T.J. gave his thoughts on that possibility, even if J.J. is seemingly going to hang his cleats up after the season. Specifically, he was asked if his brother could ‘pull a Gronk’ referencing, Rob Gronkowski coming out of retirement to rejoin Tom Brady.

“You’d have to ask him that,” Watt chuckled.

For what it’s worth, that is not an outright no, but it also is not an endorsing pang that J.J. is exactly thinking of playing in 2023. It is as it remains right now, a true dream that seems unlikely. But the NFL is a crazy league, and nothing can ever be ruled out.

Regardless of what ends up happening, T.J. is happy and proud of his brother’s career. It is a career that will end up with J.J. wearing a gold jacket in Canton, Ohio. A three-time Defensive Player of the Year, J.J. has proven to be one of the best defensive players of the generation with the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals.

“He’s been talking about it for a little bit,” Watt said. “Never knew how serious is was until the last couple of months. Super proud and happy for him, excited to see him play these last two weeks. Just a hell of a career.”

In his last two games, Watt will face the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers before hanging up his cleats.