Latest news with #JJWatt
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
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5x All-Pro Watt among Texans selected to ESPN NFL All-Quarter Century Team
5x All-Pro Watt among Texans selected to ESPN NFL All-Quarter Century Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With June marking the halfway mark of 2025, that means it's list season for a lot of NFL publications. And with 2025 marking the quarter mark of the 21st Century, we get some exclusive lists. On Wednesday morning, ESPN released its NFL All-Quarter Century Team. Advertisement The article named a full 53-man roster and coaching staff comprised of what the publication thought were the best NFL players since 2000. The Houston Texans ended up having five representatives on the team, with four players and one coach making the final cut. Former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was among five representatives from the Texans named to ESPN's NFL All-Quarter Century Team on Wednesday.© Thomas Shea-Imagn Images Defensive end J.J. Watt (2011-2020) was the most notable representative from Houston to make the list. The 5x All-Pro and Texans Ring of Honor member was listed as the team's "versatile defensive lineman". "We wanted to save a spot for Watt because he can play as an edge rusher or interior lineman," ESPN writer Aaron Schatz said of Watt's selection. "He is one of only three players in history to win Defensive Player of the Year three times, and he has the best plus-EPA of any player since 2000 (minimum 50 games)." Along with Watt, Vince Wilfork and Ed Reed were also named to the team, at the nose tackle and safety positions respectively. Wilfork and Reed both spent a short amount of time in Houston, with Wilfork wearing the blue and red from 2015-2016 and Reed spending seven games with the Texans in 2013. Advertisement Shane Lechler was selected as the team's punter. Lechler spent five seasons in Houston from 2013-2017 following a 12-year long tenure as the Oakland Raiders punter. Lechler retired in 2017 but was still impressing until the end, leading the league in punt yardage in his age 41 season with Houston. "One of the greatest and longest-tenured punters in NFL history, Lechler was named a first-team All-Pro in his rookie season," Schatz said of Lechler. "Throughout his 18-year career, he racked up more first-team All-Pro selections (six) than any other punter in NFL history (no one has had more than four). Lechler led the league in gross punt average in five seasons, and his career average in yards per punt is an NFL record for punters who have played over 120 games." The Texans didn't just have players represented on the list, as former defensive coordinator and interim head coach Wade Phillips was selected as the team's defensive coordinator. Phillips was on Gary Kubiak's staff from 2011-2013 and took over as interim head coach following Kubiak's dismissal after starting 2-10 in 2013. Advertisement Speaking on Phillips' time in Houston, Schatz said, "He took the Texans' defense -- with some help from rookie J.J. Watt, of course -- from 30th in 2010 to eighth in 2011. Then he took the Broncos to No. 1 in defensive DVOA in both 2015 and 2016, with a Super Bowl championship. Including Phillips' stops as a head coach (Bills and Cowboys), his defenses have ranked in the top half of the league in 15 of 18 seasons since 2000." This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Texans Legend J.J. Watt Puts End to Comeback Talk, Excited to Begin New Role
Texans Legend J.J. Watt Puts End to Comeback Talk, Excited to Begin New Role originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former Houston Texans defensive star J.J. Watt will be busy this fall for a number of reasons, but he won't be playing on the gridiron. Advertisement The 36-year-old who had been flirting with a comeback off-and-on since retiring at the end of the 2022 season, seemed to put those talks to rest on Wednesday as the Texans closed minicamp. "I'll always think I can do it [play], which is a problem," Watt told reporters. But as far as the itch to return to the field, Watt made it clear he's moved on. "I definitely no longer have that. I'm just comfortable, I'm at peace. We're having our second baby soon. Life is very good, I'm very fortunate." Former NFL player J.J. Watt and former coach Bill Cowher react on the field before the AFC Championship gameDenny Medley-Imagn Images Not only will Watt have his hands full this fall with a new child, but he'll also have a new role with CBS Sports. After two seasons as a studio analyst, Watt will move into the booth as a color commentator alongside play-by-play voice Ian Eagle. Advertisement "Ian's the best," Watt said. "There's nothing better when you've got Ian Eagle as your partner. He's just so smooth, so witty, so smart, balanced. He will make me look good in any situation. I'm very lucky to have such a great partner." As far as his new role in the booth, Watt is eager to start preparing. "It kind of stretches that muscle, and I love watching the film during the week," Watt said. "I love studying the players and so that's just kind of all worked out." Whether he'll be on the call for any Texans games is yet to be determined, but Watt would be surprised if he wasn't on the call for a game this fall. Advertisement "I would imagine, I mean we [CBS Sports] have the AFC and the Texans are obviously a draw in the AFC, so we'll have some." Related: Texans' Star Nick Chubb Issues 4-Word Reassuring Statement on Injury Concerns Related: Texans QB C.J. Stroud Showcases Handshake With Brand New Teammate This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Breaking: T.J. Watt to Skip Steelers Mandatory Minicamp amid Contract Dispute
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt will not attend the team's three-day mandatory minicamp, which starts Tuesday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, according to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN. Watt, the Steelers' star edge rusher and best player, has not been around the team since cryptically throwing up the deuces on Instagram a few months ago. He did not attend the two-week voluntary OTAs at all. Watt will be subject to over $100,000 in fines if he skips all three days of the mandatory minicamp. Advertisement Watt is looking for a new contract, as his is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season, and he will likely be looking for one that meets or beats the $40 million per year that the Cleveland Browns gave Myles Garrett earlier this offseason. Watt hasn't spoken publicly since separating himself from the team, but comments from his brother, J.J. Watt, have made it seem that Watt is upset about the timing of the deal, and wanted it to be done by now. Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt before a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 30, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now The Steelers, on the other hand, almost always wait until the end of the offseason to deal with contract extensions with their own pending free agents, because it gives the team better clarity about how much money they want to have in the opening year of the contract. Advertisement The Steelers could save up to about $9 million in 2025 cap space while giving Watt a $40 million-per-year extension, and with the team still pursuing help in the wide receiver market, that flexibility may be essential. The Steelers also may not be able to find such a wide receiver, and thus would prefer to have more of Watt's money in 2025. The last time Watt needed a new contract in 2021, he attended, but did not participate, in Steelers offseason activities, which was dubbed a hold-in. That contract negotiation dragged on until the final week of the offseason, with Watt agreeing to a contract in the middle of the week before the Steelers' season opener. Watt's current deal is a four-year, $112 million contract. He is set to earn $21.05 million in salary in 2025, none of which is guaranteed. The 30-year-old edge rusher is coming off the least-productive full season of his NFL career, having recorded 11.5 sacks over 17 games. Watt also led the NFL with six forced fumbles. A late-season injury significantly slowed him down, with Watt recording just seven tackles and no sacks over the final four games of the season. Advertisement This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Breaking: T.J. Watt to Skip Steelers Mandatory Minicamp amid Contract Dispute Related Headlines
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
J.J. Watt Hints His Brother T.J. Watt is Not Happy with Contract Situation
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was not at the first two day of Steelers OTAs, presumably because of his contract situation. During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, J.J. Watt made it appear like that is the case. Advertisement 'I have a lot of information on that subject,' J.J. Watt said when asked about T.J. Watt's contract. 'That's not my subject to discuss.' Watt also alluded again to the fact that T.J. Watt wanted to sign an extension last year. And the Steelers didn't want to do it. 'Ownership and front offices obviously treat this like a business but they don't like it when the players flip the script on them and treat it like a business,' J.J. Watt said. T.J. Watt created a stir in April with a cryptic post on his Instagram story. It's unclear what Watt was referring to with a photo of himself putting up the peace out sign, but it put Steelers Nation on edge. Advertisement Could it be a sign that contract negotiations are not going well with the Steelers? It could also mean nothing, but Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett both got massive deals this offseason. Garrett is averaging $40 million per year, while Crosby is making $35.5 million per year. J.J. Watt said in March that the Steelers messed up by not giving his brother T.J. Watt an extension sooner. They'll now have to pay even more after Crosby and Garrett got paid handsomely. 'Reward your players earlier and reap the benefits in the long run. Dragging it out not only ends up costing more, it creates unnecessary tension. The longer you wait, the higher the price,' J.J. Watt wrote on X in response to a Brett Kollerman post that said dragging stuff out is the worst way to do things. T.J. Watt, 30, did have a bit of a down year in 2024, registering the third least sacks in a season (11.5) in his career. The other two seasons were his rookie year (seven sacks) and 2022 (5.5 sacks) when he played in just 10 games due to a knee injury. Advertisement Watt has also never won a playoff game, so there's been some speculation that he would want to move on somewhere else to compete for a Super Bowl. He shut down those rumors, however, stating that he wants to be with the Steelers for the rest of his career. 'I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler,' Watt said. 'You guys know that. I don't want to leave this place. I want to be part of the solution. I've put so much into it here.' This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: J.J. Watt Hints His Brother T.J. Watt is Not Happy with Contract Situation
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers OLBs Coach Not Worried About T.J. Watt Skipping Mandatory Minicamp: ‘We Know He's Working Right Now'
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt during a game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 8, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt is skipping mandatory minicamp due to a contract dispute, but outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin is not worried about his absence. When asked what the team is missing by not having Watt at minicamp, Martin replied, 'Nothing, really. We know what he's doing.' Advertisement Martin said Watt keeps in contact with him and the coaching staff and the fellow outside linebackers. 'We know he's working right now as we speak,' Martin said. 'When he gets here, we know he'll be ready.' Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt during practice on Dec. 19, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Watt, the Steelers' star edge rusher and best player, has not been around the team since cryptically throwing up the deuces on Instagram a few months ago. He did not attend the two-week voluntary OTAs at all. Watt will be subject to $104,768 in fines if he skips all three days of the mandatory minicamp. Watt is looking for a new contract, as his is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season, and he will likely be looking for one that meets or beats the $40 million per year that the Cleveland Browns gave Myles Garrett earlier this offseason. Advertisement Watt hasn't spoken publicly since separating himself from the team, but comments from his brother, J.J. Watt, have made it seem that Watt is upset about the timing of the deal, and wanted it to be done by now. The Steelers, on the other hand, almost always wait until the end of the offseason to deal with contract extensions with their own pending free agents, because it gives the team better clarity about how much money they want to have in the opening year of the contract. The Steelers could save up to about $9 million in 2025 cap space while giving Watt a $40 million-per-year extension, and with the team still pursuing help in the wide receiver market, that flexibility may be essential. The Steelers also may not be able to find such a wide receiver, and thus would prefer to have more of Watt's money in 2025. The last time Watt needed a new contract in 2021, he attended, but did not participate, in Steelers offseason activities, which was dubbed a hold-in. That contract negotiation dragged on until the final week of the offseason, with Watt agreeing to a contract in the middle of the week before the Steelers' season opener. Advertisement Watt's current deal is a four-year, $112 million contract. He is set to earn $21.05 million in salary in 2025, none of which is guaranteed. The 30-year-old edge rusher is coming off the least-productive full season of his NFL career, having recorded 11.5 sacks over 17 games. Watt also led the NFL with six forced fumbles. A late-season injury significantly slowed him down, with Watt recording just seven tackles and no sacks over the final four games of the season. Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers OLBs Coach Not Worried About T.J. Watt Skipping Mandatory Minicamp: 'We Know He's Working Right Now' Advertisement Related Headlines
