Pat McAfee says retired Cardinals legend is staying NFL-ready, return would have to be perfect situation

Wendi Oliveros

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Pat McAfee says retired Cardinals legend is staying NFL-ready, return would have to be perfect situation image

On Monday's episode of his show, Pat McAfee dropped an interesting tidbit of information.  Ex-Cardinals legend and current CBS broadcaster JJ Watt is working out in Pittsburgh and is staying NFL-ready.

McAfee said that Watt, who retired from the NFL in 2022, will keep his phone on this year.  If he received a call similar to Joe Flacco's end-of-season call from the Cleveland Browns, he would consider it in 2024, but it would have to be the perfect situation.  McAfee also said it is the last year Watt will open himself up to the possibility of a return.

McAfee's guest as Watt was being discussed was ex-Steelers coach Bill Cowher, his CBS colleague.  Cowher said that Watt is in the perfect position in New York at the CBS desk.  He said that Watt may listen to the calls but did not guarantee he would jump back into the game.

 

JJ Watt is 35 years old.  He is a future Hall of Famer with 12 years in the NFL, 10 with the Houston Texans and 2 with the Arizona Cardinals.  Watt has 114.5 career sacks.

Watt's workout in Pittsburgh could probably be attributed to sibling bonding with brother TJ Watt.  Steelers fans have always wanted the Watt brothers on the field together wearing black and gold.  JJ Watt fans who booked their NFL Hall of Fame trips for 2028 may have to wait a little longer to see if that is the correct date.

Wendi Oliveros

Wendi Oliveros Photo

Wendi Oliveros is an avid sports fan who has reported on NFL, MLB, and professional tennis throughout her career. She lives in PA but is not a Steelers or Eagles fan. She is a lifelong Baltimore Orioles fan, and her favorite tennis tournament is the US Open, which she has been privileged to attend a few times.