No team in the NFL has turned its fortunes around as quickly as the Texans. A great draft in 2023 and incredible coaching elevated Houston from basement dwellers to one of the best teams in the AFC. Now they are looking to take the next step and become legitimate candidates. And Texans legend JJ Watt is open to the idea of returning if needed.
Watt told the media at the annual charity softball game that he told coach DeMeco Ryans he was ready to step in if needed.
I asked JJ Watt how he resists the temptation to return to football, especially given the rise of the Texans. His answer was interesting.
Watt told DeMeco Ryans that he is still training and will be ready if absolutely necessary. pic.twitter.com/Z3gbfqjOA1
— Hiram Clark B.Scott (@brandonkscott) May 4, 2024
Watt wants the Texans to break the glass and push the button only when absolutely necessary, but Watt still stays in shape. He looks like a guy who can step on the field right now and not miss a beat. That’s a good thing, because looking at Houston’s roster, there’s a pretty good chance they’ll actually need Watt this year.
At first glance, the Texans pass rush looks incredible. The team acquired the best edge rusher in Will Anderson Jr. in the 2023 draft, and solidified its position in free agency by signing Daniel Hunter from the Vikings. This gives the team two legitimate threats of double-digit sacks and should be enough to propel Houston further forward if the offense can maintain its 2023 form.
But here’s the problem. Once you get past Anderson Jr. and Hunter, the depths drop off a cliff. Derek Barnett has been very inconsistent with only 24 sacks in his seven-year career. Mario Edwards Jr., another depth pass rusher, is even worse. If either of the starting pitchers gets injured, the pressure will crumble.
That’s before we talk about the need for the Texans to get rotational pass rush help.
Now, it’s clear Watt won’t come out of retirement to be a rotation piece of the puzzle, at least not yet. However, it is worth monitoring the situation going forward. Watt led the Arizona Cardinals when he retired, finishing his final NFL season with 12.5 sacks and showing he’s still as capable as ever. This means it’s worth keeping an eye on if (and when) the Texans make the playoffs.
Teams are allowed to make four free agent signings during the postseason. If Houston is gearing up for a playoff berth, it would definitely be beneficial for them to see if Watt comes out to finish the year and see how far he can push the team. .This is not the case at present. feel The Texans are still Super Bowl contenders, but they definitely have room to make a run this year.
Watt said this will likely be the last year he can stay in NFL shape and return. It would be an incredible way for him to end the story of helping the Texans get through some tough times instead of fading into relative obscurity at Arizona State.
We need to make this happen.
