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THREE-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt’s playing days may not yet be over.
The 35-year-old former defensive end walked away from the NFL in 2023 following 14 seasons in the league.
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JJ has remained in game-ready shape ever since and even revealed that he would unretire if called upon by his former team, the Houston Texans, should he be needed this upcoming season.
“I’ve had 12 great years in this league and I’m very thankful to have walked away healthy and playing great,” JJ told reporters ahead of his annual Charity Classic baseball game in May.
“I told DeMeco [Ryans] (head coach) last year, I said, ‘Don’t call unless you absolutely need it, but if you ever do call, I’ll be there.'”
However, a series of recent posts on his Instagram Stories have led some to believe JJ may be preparing for an NFL comeback with a new team.
His younger brother TJ, also a former Defensive Player of the Year, is currently a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On Monday, JJ shared a photo from inside the Steelers’ weight room, along with one from their training field.
Later, TJ shared a clip of JJ executing a single-leg squat on his driveway while seemingly wearing a Steelers t-shirt.
TJ also shared a snap of JJ being mic’d up in front of a greenscreen which, along with a snap of TJ reading a script on his older brother’s Stories, suggested they were filming together.
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JJ’s workout shots were a hot topic on The Pat McAfee Show – where he appears once weekly during the NFL season as a guest analyst.
They were brought up during a discussion with JJ’s The NFL Today colleague, Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Cowher.
“I know he weighs exactly the same playing weight that he did when he was playing,” the former Steelers boss revealed.
“So all I can say is I don’t know what’s going to happen this season if anything were to develop, but I know JJ is ready.
“I don’t think he’ll take that phone call, but I think he’ll listen.”
Many Steelers fans were ecstatic when JJ also shared his workout shots on X, prompting a plethora of responses.
“Sing with the Steelers to play one year with TJ. You know you want to,” one said.
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“Pretty sure [you] still got it…play alongside your bro!!” suggested a second.
“Please… tell me there’s a chance…one of my favorite defensive players all time,” added another.
While a fourth replied, “Dream come true!”
If JJ were to join the Steelers, he’d join a stacked defensive line group including TJ, Cam Heyward, and Larry Ogunjobi.
Pittsburgh’s next game is their preseason finale against the Detroit Lions on August 24.
They’ll then return to action on September 8 when they head to the Atlanta Falcons for their regular season opener.
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