J.J. Watt, Quarterbacks’ Nightmare, Is Retiring From the N.F.L.

After a 4-12 season in 2020, Watt was released by the Texans after he asked to leave the team in search of a championship as his play declined and the Texans began to rebuild.

“I don’t think it’s any secret that I don’t have 10 years left in this league,” Watt told reporters during his final season in Houston. “I’m not looking to rebuild. I’m looking to go after a championship, and that’s what I want to do.”

The move to Arizona initially looked like it could pay dividends, as the Cardinals began the 2021 season with seven straight wins. But Watt suffered a shoulder injury in the seventh game that sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season. After a 10-2 start, the Cardinals spiraled at the season’s end, finishing 11-6. Watt returned for the team’s wild-card game, but the Cardinals were steamrollered by the Los Angeles Rams, the eventual Super Bowl champions.

In September, Watt had his heart shocked back into rhythm after experiencing atrial fibrillation, a heart-rhythm abnormality. Watt played days later in the Cardinals’ win over the Carolina Panthers, but it was a moment that Watt said made him think about not playing football anymore as he fought through tears in the postgame news conference.

Watt is having his best season since 2018, leading the Cardinals with 9.5 sacks, including a three-sack performance against the Denver Broncos this month.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/27/sports/jj-watt-retiring.html