Former Houston Texans pass rusher J.J. Watt revealed that he considered ending his career with the Green Bay Packers after becoming a free agent in 2021.
Prior to the end of the 2022 NFL season, Arizona Cardinals pass rusher J.J. Watt announced his retirement from the game. Watt etched his name as one of the most dominant pass rushers in recent memory after entering the NFL as a member of the Houston Texans, and it should translate into an early induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While his career did end with the Cardinals, was there another team Watt wanted to play for?
During an appearance on the “Rise and Schein Podcast” with Mad Dog Sports Radio’s Adam Schein, Watt was asked about his desire to play for the Green Bay Packers, as he grew up in Wisconsin.
Watt said “there’s certainly part of me that thought about that” but “there’s a story for another day.” When further pressed about whether there was a chance where Watt wanted it to happen and the Packers didn’t, the former NFL star said “somethings things just don’t happen the way that fairy tales are supposed to happen.”
You can listen to Watt’s comments in Mad Dog Radio’s tweet below:
J.J. Watt hints at interest in playing for Packers before end of career
It would have been something if Watt, who was born and raised in Pewaukee, Wis., and played for the Badgers college football program, got to don the Packers’ green and yellow uniform. But, it wasn’t to be, as Watt said.
Watt spent the majority of his career with the Texans, who drafted him 11th overall in 2011, and he brought home a variety of accolades. From his three Defensive Player of the Year awards, to his five First-Team All-Pro honors, to his Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his work raising money for those affected by Hurricane Harvey back in 2017.
After the 2020 season, Watt requested his release from the Texans, which allowed him to become a free agent. Ultimately he decided to sign with the Arizona Cardinals, where he reunited with former teammate and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
The football world can only imagine what would have happened if Watt had joined the Packers. But as he told Schein, that is a story for another day.
