Tag: J.J. Watt

Nik Bonitto snubbed for weekly award despite matching J.J. Watt’s impressive stat

Nik Bonitto is the NFL’s first player since J.J. Watt (2014) with double-digit sacks and multiple TDs in a season. Watt won DPOY in 2014.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto was not named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week following his impressive performance against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

The NFL instead gave that honor to Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley after he totaled five tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups in Week 15.

Bonitto was snubbed after recording five tackles (including one behind the line of scrimmage), one quarterback hit, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, a half-sack and a 50-yard fumble-six.

Bonitto now has 11.5 sacks on the season, tied for third overall and just one sack away from Trey Hendrickson’s league-leading 12.5 sacks.

Before his fumble-six against the Colts, Bonitto had a 71-yard pick-six against the Cleveland Browns in Denver’s previous game, making him the first player in NFL history to post 50-plus-yard defensive touchdowns in consecutive games.

Bonitto is also the first player to record double-digit sacks and multiple touchdowns since J.J. Watt accomplished that feat in 2014. Watt ended that season with 20.5 sacks and he was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Bonitto would probably need to lead the league in sacks to have a shot of winning DPOY this season. The 25-year-old pass rusher has three games remaining to build on his career-high 11.5 sacks in 2024.

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NFL legend humorously slams Dan Campbell for his onside kick decision

J.J. Watt didn’t like Campbell’s decision to try an onside kick against the Bills early in the fourth quarter

The Lions were humbled in their 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 15. One of the key moments came early in the fourth quarter when head coach Dan Campbell’s aggressive nature bit him. After the Lions went 70 yards in just two minutes to cut the lead to 38-28, Campbell decided to go for an onside kick to try and steal a possession and keep Bills quarterback Josh Allen off the field. Unfortunately for Campbell and the Lions, the decision backfired in spectacular fashion.

Instead of the Bills just taking over possession, Mack Hollins returned the ball all the way to the Lions’ 5-yard line. Buffalo needed just one play to find the end zone.

While that decision isn’t the main reason the Lions lost, it’s a decision that will be talked about all week. One national analyst had an interesting thought on the decision.

CBS NFL analyst and future Hall of Fame defensive end J.J. Watt had this to say about Campbell’s choice: “I ‘think’ I could wrestle a small bear, that doesn’t mean I should try it.’

Watt also noted that he loves that Dan Campbell “believes in his squad so much that he thinks everything they do will be successful…but onside kicks have a 7% success rate. Trying one with 12 minutes left while only down by 10 was insane.”

Campbell took full responsibility for not only the failed onside kick, but the loss itself. It was a roller coaster of a Sunday for Detroit but they are still atop the NFC standings at 12-2, but now have the Philadelphia Eagles also at 12-2 with the Minnesota Vikings having a chance to match as well Monday against the Chicago Bears. It’s not panic time yet in Detroit…but the worry meter rose slightly.

Mike Tomlin has hilarious reaction to signing T.J. Watt’s big bro, J.J.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin joked about signing T.J. Watt’s big brother, J.J. Watt, on The Pat McAfee Show.

NFL legend J.J. Watt has been linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers several times, but nothing substantial has ever come from it. Instead, the eldest Watt has been to the Steelers facility and games to support his brother T.J. Watt — most recently this past week when the Steelers took on the Cleveland Browns.

The former Houston Texans defender turned broadcaster has even upped his Terrible Towel twirling game after being blasted for his technique last season.

Mike Tomlin, a guest on The Pat McAfee Show, said this when asked if he’s tried to sign J.J. when he’s in Pittsburgh.

We don’t have enough cash for two Watts.

T.J. Watt will enter the final year of a massive four-year, $112 million contract in 2025. Gerry Dulac, Steelers insider for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, doesn’t believe the team will prioritize re-signing Watt in the offseason.

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J.J. Watt weighs in on Azeez Al-Shaair being suspended for hit on Trevor Lawrence

J.J. Watt has some thoughts on Azeez Al-Shaair being suspended for hit on Trevor Lawrence

Former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt knows that tackling is a part of the game of football.

Much like other players, he is not a fan of the elongated suspension for Azeez Al-Shaair following the hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

During a segment on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the three-time Defensive Player of the Year voiced his opinion on how the league has handled the situation that occurred in Week 13. He understands both sides, but it’s clear the defender has a soft spot for the defensive player.

“You want Trevor to be okay and that’s hands down first and foremost, No. 1,” Watt told McAfee and co-host A.J. Hawk. “I do think that there’s justification for punishment there, no doubt. I do also think that the punishment is extremely harsh.”

Al-Shaair, who plans to appeal the case on Wednesday with NFLPA representative Ramon Foster, was ejected from the game after the hit. The league office stated as to why Al-Shaair would be suspended, calling out his “lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football.”

Texans general manager Nick Caserio called out the NFL for its wording in the letter against Al-Shaair. Watt echoed a similar sentiment.

“If you listen to the comparisons of other punishments that have been handed down across the league and you look at the history and the precedent there, the inconsistency in the punishment is an issue, but I understand a punishment should be handed down,” Watt said.

The Texans enter the bye week at 8-5. Should Al-Shaair’s suspension hold, he won’t be clear to return until Week 18’s season finale matchup against the Tennessee Titans.

Texans legend J.J. Watt to be a part of Monday Night Football fun

J.J. Watt might not be on the field, but he’ll be on Monday Night Football when the Houston Texans take on the Dallas Cowboys.

The last time the Houston Texans were on “Monday Night Football,” J.J. Watt appeared on the television screen.

Five years might have passed and Watt might have retired, but the former All-Pro defensive end will still appear on your television when Houston faces off against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

Watt will appear on the “ManningCast” alternate telecast on ESPN2 opposite Peyton and Eli Manning during Monday’s game. The national broadcast will air on ABC and ESPN beginning at 7:15 p.m. CT.

Watt, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year during his 10 seasons with the Texans, will appear during the fourth quarter with the Manning brothers. Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick will appear during the first half for his weekly segment.

While many Texans fans have been waiting for Watt to come out of retirement, at least they’ll see the top defensive player in franchise history talk about the program in prominence on national television.

The Texans will be playing their first Monday night outing since Sept. 9, 2019, when they opened the season with a 30-28 loss against the New Orleans Saints. That also marked the first appearance of Laremy Tunsil in a Houston uniform after the preseason trade leading into the new campaign.

The Texans (6-4) trail the series against the Cowboys (3-6) all-time at 4-2.

J.J. Watt, like all of us, is tired of talking about Aaron Rodgers and the Jets

Preach, J.J. Watt. Preach.

Former NFL defensive end J.J. Watt sounds ready for the sports world to move past talking about Aaron Rodgers and the struggling New York Jets.

The 2-6 Jets take on the Houston Texans on Thursday night in a game that could push New York further down the list of lackluster NFL teams.

Amid a Pat McAfee Show discussion on the Rodgers cayenne pepper water thing this week, Watt lamented about how much he wants to stop talking about Rodgers and the Jets.

“I’m so sick of all of us talking about this [expletive],” Watt said about the Jets. “Like, it’s not working… They’re 2-6.”

Preach, J.J. Watt. We’re all tired of talking about that quarterback and his football team, too.

Some NSFW language to follow. 

Chris Harris says Broncos DL Zach Allen looks like J.J. Watt this season

“He looks kind of like J.J. Watt sometimes,” Chris Harris said of Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen.

From 2011 to 2015, JJ Watt was the most dominant defensive player in the NFL, totaling 75.5 sacks in five years. Although the back half of his career was a mixture of injuries and bounce-back seasons, Watt made his name known.

So, if a player ever gets a comparison to Watt, it’s a prestigious honor. That’s what former Denver Broncos cornerback and Super Bowl 50 champion Chris Harris recently bestowed upon defensive lineman Zach Allen. 

Appearing on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, Harris praised the Denver defensive lineman and compared him to Watt, Allen’s former teammate with the Arizona Cardinals. 

Allen has four sacks and 19 total tackles so far. He also has 9.5 run stuffs and a Pro Football Focus grade of 61.5. All-Pro recognition and a Pro Bowl nod will await if he continues this pace.

Allen and his Broncos teammates have rested up following their win against the New Orleans Saints this past Thursday and the team will now prepare to face the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 27.

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Texans legend praises Patriots rookie Drake Maye following NFL debut

J. J. Watt shared his thoughts on Drake Maye’s NFL debut

Houston Texans legend J.J. Watt praised New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye following his debut against Watt’s former team on Sunday.

Maye got into the action quickly, throwing for 243 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. The quarterback’s performance was notable, given that the Texans’ defense ranks third in the league with only 277 total yards allowed per game.

Maye certainly made a strong impression with his three touchdown passes being more than the Patriots threw all season combined.

“If I’m a Patriots fan and I’m watching today’s game, yes, you lost and you gave up a bunch of points,” Watt said on CBS’ “NFL Today.” “But I am encouraged by the way Drake Maye played. I am definitely encouraged going forward that he is a guy that I can get excited about.”

Maye’s strong arm and athleticism were on full display throughout the entire game. If nothing else, he gave the offense the much-needed spark it didn’t have in the first five games.

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Former NFL standout J.J. Watt comments on Falcons’ TNF uniforms

Former NFL superstar J.J. Watt calls on the Falcons to make their throwback uniforms permanent

The Atlanta Falcons‘ throwback uniforms for Thursday Night Football have former NFL defensive standout J.J. Watt’s vote of approval.

“These Falcons uniforms are a masterpiece,” Watt posted on Twitter. “Just make them full time, c’mon man.”

This isn’t the first time Watt has called for the Falcons to make their throwback uniforms an everyday deal, either. Falcons fans have long wanted the team to make the classic red-helmet look permanent.

There’s a lot of love for Atlantas’ current uniforms, but it’s safe to say no one would be upset if they made a switch here. The Falcons have now won two straight division games wearing their throwbacks.

In Week 4, they defeated the New Orleans Saints with a walk-off field goal before topping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a walk-off touchdown in Week 5.

The next time the Falcons wear their red-helmet throwbacks is on December 22, when they face the New York Giants at 1 p.m. ET in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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WATCH: Former Wisconsin linebacker legends, brothers exchange words before Week 3

WATCH: Former Wisconsin linebacker legends, brothers exchange words before Week 3

Former Wisconsin linebacker legends J.J. and T.J. Watt caught up on the CBS pregame show before the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 3 win vs. the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

Watt, who entered the contest with seven total tackles, four solo tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass deflection, one fumble recovery and five QB hits, recorded three total tackles and one sack against Jim Harbaugh’s team on Sunday afternoon.

Now a member of CBS’ NFL pregame panel, J.J. commentates alongside Matt Ryan, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher and James Brown. Watt’s first question to his younger brother revolved around the build-up to an NFL game. Here’s what T.J. said:

“[Nick Herbig] just took over the aux from Cam Heyward, so hopefully he puts on some good tunes,” Watt said jokingly. “Just trying to get in the right head space and trying to visualize a bit. All the hard work is done, and it’s all about going out and performing now.”

The elder Watt also gifted T.J. with a custom No. 90 “dad” jersey in anticipation of the birth of his first child

Here’s the full pregame interview:

Watt now has 10 total tackles, seven solo tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, one pass deflection, one fumble recovery and five QB hits on the season. If he continues this pace, he will pocket his second career Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Pittsburgh continues its season against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 29.