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J.J. Watt has become the face of the NFL’s 32nd franchise, which is quite a feat considering defensive ends are billed as the bad guys of pro football.
The Houston Texans drafted Watt in Round 1 of the 2011 NFL Draft, and the former Wisconsin product hopes he never plays for another team for the rest of his career.
“That would be, obviously, a goal of mine,” Watt told reporters on May 27 of the prospect of ending his career with the Texans.
Make no mistake: Watt no intentions of ending his career any time soon. In fact, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has been gearing up for his 10th season, one that is in doubt due the COVID-19 pandemic. However, life after football has crept into his mind in previous offseasons, which means so has to thought of making sure his NFL career was spent entirely in Houston.
“This city has been incredible to me since the day I got here,” said Watt. “I’m very thankful and fortunate to have the opportunity to play for such great fans that have been supportive of not only myself, my foundation and everything that I’ve tried to accomplish. It’s a great place. I certainly hope that’s the case.”
Other faces of the franchise didn’t end their career with the Texans. Matt Schaub, the career leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and wins, is now Matt Ryan’s backup with the Atlantat Falcons.
Arian Foster, who has the most career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns for the Texans, spent his final season with the Miami Dolphins in 2016.
Andre Johnson, whose name is in the Ring of Honor and has the most receiving yards in club history, spent his last two years with the Indianapolis Colts in 2015 and the Tennessee Titans in 2016.
Watt doesn’t want the conclusion of his career to rhyme with that part of Texans lore.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Watt said. “I can’t say what’s going to happen in the future but I certainly hope that that’s the case.”