Cowher Teases J.J. Watt NFL Comeback

J.J. Watt , the legendary defensive end and older brother of current Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt , may still have some NFL gas left in the tank, according to former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher .

While Watt retired following the 2022 season, Cowher recently shared insights suggesting that the three-time Defensive Player of the Year could be physically ready for a return to the gridiron.

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show , Cowher revealed that he had recently spent time with Watt and noted that the future Hall of Famer remains in top physical condition.

"I was just with him last week at our seminar," Cowher said . "I know he weighs exactly the same playing weight that he did when he was playing. All I can say is I don't know what's going to happen this season, if anything were to develop, but I think J.J. is ready.

“I don't think he'd make that phone call, but I think he'll listen."

Watt, who spent 12 seasons primarily with the Houston Texans before finishing his career with the Arizona Cardinals , has already transitioned to a post-football career. In addition to his role as an NFL analyst for CBS Sports, he purchased a minority stake in Burnley F.C., an English soccer club, in 2023. Despite these new ventures, Cowher's comments have reignited speculation about a possible return to the NFL, particularly with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Watt could join his brother T.J.

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While the idea of a comeback is intriguing, there are no guarantees. Watt has not played in two years, and while his physical condition remains impressive, it’s uncertain whether he could still perform at an elite NFL level.

The Steelers, who have faced recent injuries on their defensive line, could theoretically be interested, but the decision would be a challenging one for any front office.

For now, the notion of J.J. Watt donning an NFL jersey again remains speculative. However, as Cowher suggested, it might not be entirely out of the realm of possibility.