J.J. Watt says he is open to NFL broadcasting career
(BVM) – Fresh off his retirement from the NFL, superstar defensive end J.J. Watt says that he is interested in getting into the booth and being an NFL broadcaster. Watt was on the Barstool Sports podcast “Pardon My Take” talking about his future as it pertains to football.
“I would like to at least give it a shot,” Watt said on the podcast. “I mean I want to be around the game. I love the game too much…I want to be a part of it and I do feel like I have knowledge and experience that can help enhance the viewer’s experience and talk about things that they might not see or that I’ve learned over the years.”
Watt also denied any sort of return to the league as a player since rumors he would join his brothers on the Pittsburgh Steelers have been swirling around.
“I will not be playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Watt said.
The five-time All–Pro defensive end is done with his playing career but a career as a color commentator makes sense. Watt has always been good on camera. He has appeared on hit TV shows as well as movies and his football knowledge has never been in question.
“Really, really strong but I think what a lot of people don’t realize — how smart he is, his football IQ, and how hard it is to get stuff past him in the trenches,” San Francisco 49ers All-Pro left tackle said about Watt following Watt’s retirement announcement. “He is a thorn in any offense’s backside.”
Watt has recently been in the news for his and his wife Kealia’s investment in a minority ownership of the newly promoted English Premier League team Burnley FC. He “unretired” in the announcement video the couple posted on social media but maybe he will soon “unretire” to become a broadcaster.
J.J. would join a long list of former NFL players that have had second careers as commentators. Former Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan announced he was joining CBS Sports as an analyst. With his huge following, success as a player and his personality it wouldn’t be surprising if his broadcasting career is as successful as his playing career.