Lovie Smith has coached great players in his NFL career, but he never had an opportunity to work with a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The Houston Texans hired Lovie Smith as defensive coordinator for new coach David Culley’s staff in January 2021. Defensive end J.J. Watt did not want to be part of a rebuild and was granted a release from the franchise that drafted him in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft.
Watt signed with the Arizona Cardinals, who are 15-17 since his arrival with a 4-11 record in 2022. Watt posted to Twitter Tuesday that the 2022 campaign will be his last as he intends to retire after the season.
“I wish I had the chance to coach him, like every defensive coach would say,” Smith said. “I remember J.J. when he came out of the University of Wisconsin, knew about his career he had in college.”
Watt generated 101.0 sacks with the Texans in his 128-game career, and also added 282 quarterback hits, by far the most since 2011.
Said Smith: “Just what he’s done on the football field. First off, motor — he plays hard every down. It’s just one thing to play hard every down, but the production that he’s had. Taking the ball away, interceptions, fumbles for touchdowns.”
With two games to go in his stint with the Cardinals, Watt has tallied 10.5 sacks and 31 quarterback hits through 21 games, all of which he has started.
Smith believes that Watt, who will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2028, has no druthers regarding his life in the NFL.
“Just an unbelievable career,” said Smith. “I’m sure there’s no regrets that he has. Again, not many have done it the way he did.”
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