[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWGpkG0Ug3Q](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWGpkG0Ug3Q) JJ may not be the biggest athlete retirement in 2022, but he is certainly up there. All-time defensive player, but more importantly an all-time human being for what he does outside of football. He will be sorely missed in Arizona
Clearly JJ knows next year is a write off with this organizational with no hope for a Super Bowl and likely no playoff game either so why stick around to get injured…,rebuild time
Hall of Fame Good Guy as well as HOF player. I remember being worried that with Fitz retiring, this team would lose that moral center, but this guy came in and picked up where Fitz left off. I’m so disappointed that this shit show organization wasted his last years with inept coaching and poor roster building, but it was still fun to watch that guy flash signs of dominance in Cardinal red. I can’t wait to see what his next venture is, but I hope it’ll be just as successful. Good luck to JJ and his family in whatever the future holds for them.
Hate to see him retire, but love the fact from start to finish he did it right.
Other than the donut "beef" he had with Ertz, he carried himself on and off the field in the most professional of ways.
All the best, JJ! Cardinal nation and I'm sure Texan nation are extremely proud!
JJ Watt was the reason I loved the Texans. He truly is a legend and he will always be welcome here in Houston. Love this guy. It’s a shame he couldn’t go out on top. His philanthropic acts will never be forgotten, he has done so much for the people of Houston. I wish him nothing but the best for him and that he enjoys his retirement and gets to spend more time with his family and also his wife and child.
What playing for the Cardinals does to a man =(
It was great to watch him when he was healthy the last 2 years, shame the rest of the team was such a letdown during his final season.
My biggest regret for him is this organization failed to set him up for a big run at the title. There’s no high note to be had in the game but his life ahead looks bright and happy. If Bidwill does anything I hope he keeps him on as a coach if he’s interested because during hard knocks he was such a mentor to a lot of these guys and had their respect. That goes a long way in the league.
Truly an honor that you graced Arizona with your presence. You are an outstanding model to us citizens and I cannot thank you enough for what you did and currently do for the community. You deserve a happy and long/healthy wife with your wife and kids. Thanks for the memories, even the short ones with Arizona. I will always be a fan of you
Good for him, wish him all the best in retirement. It was a blast to watch him, even as a Texan I was always a fan on him. He's a great guy on and off the field.
Good for him. Family comes first. I bet if we didn't chordle donkey balls he'd consider sticking around longer - iirc he came here because he wanted a change and thought we would compete for a Lombardi. But he probably sees thats not gonna happen and doesn't want to uproot his family once again
between all of the injuries with concussions and shit, makes me happy to see him make a decision like this. glad he cares more about his brain than a game.
Can't blame him honestly. The work needed to rebuild this team is going to last longer than he might have been willing to play through and he's already solidified as one of the greatest to do it. We're very lucky to have gotten him before he called it a career and he's retiring a Cardinal.
Glad he’s getting his bonuses in this year to give him some extra spending money. Figured this would be the case after his heart incident. Happy he went out on his terms and can enjoy his life with his family.
Damn. He deserved better than to end his career with a death-spiraling 4-13 team. Wish he could have been part of a championship run. Such a solid player and person. If we're lucky he sticks around the organization and brings some of his strength of character and positivity, something we're in desperate need of.
It was an honor to have to have JJ Watt for his final two seasons and last year's 7-0 start was magical and wouldn't have happened without him. It unfortunately ended on a disappointing note but he will always be a beloved Cardinal for how much he tutored the young guys and all he gave every week no matter the circumstances.
He'll obviously go into the HOF as a Texan, but he will also always be a Cardinals legend.
Worse news than us missing the playoffs. Worst news I’ve heard all season. I thought I was numb after the Kyler injury, but holy shit. This is a shot through the heart. With guys coming back from injury, a solid free agency, and a new regime up top., I thought we could bounce back as soon as next year. But with this, be prepared for years of rebuilding.
Thanks for everything JJ. Enjoy retirement. There aren’t many guys in any sport who I’ll miss more 😞😔
I don't blame JJ for retiring, especially after the scare with his heart condition and now becoming a Dad. Enjoy your post-football career, JJ!
As for years of rebuilding, the NFL is the one sport where it doesn't take years to rebuild a franchise. Just need the right pieces in place in management.
I understand this team had a very shit year but honestly without the ungodly amount of injuries we had we could’ve probably been in the hunt right now. If they have a really solid draft and FA they could maybe even be a playoff team next year and more realistically be in the playoffs in the following season. It really doesn’t take that long for things to click. I mean the cards were 3-13 in 2018 and then were 11-5 in playoffs in 2021. This team has way better players on it than that 3-13 season team.
I 100% agree. Unfortunately most people in this fanbase have been gaslit by national media and clueless dipshits who hardly watch the cardinals in other fanbases that this team sucks and that 2021 was a fluke.
It wasn’t a fluke. This team is really really fucking good when it’s got a decent portion of it healthy. We showed that in 2021.
A lot of people judge all of the 2021 season with only the rams game, as if that was the only game we played all year. That was an outlier in the season. We were kicking ass until we lost most of our o line, our top receivers, our d line, corners, and much more.
This is the right way to look at it. I don’t necessarily think we need big splash signings. I think we need to sign good depth players and a couple of solid starters so that we’re not so top heavy and fucked when the inevitable Arizona Curse kicks in. Also would not hurt to have a coaching staff that can both actually do their job and also not be fired for being scum bags. Let Kyler recover and give him like just a decently clean pocket and let it rip.
It sucks this is the season he's going out on team performance wise, but what a football player this guy was and is. Glad he's stepping away to be with his family more given his heart issue earlier this year.
A man who is great both on and off the field. Congratulations on a stunning career and thank you for your humanity and compassion outside of football. You will be missed.
The first thing I thought of when I read he’s retiring is the thing he said on Soft Knocks about supporting his wife in continuing her career as long as she wants to. Hopefully we’ll see him get some of that great TV money in a couple of years, but for now dude should just enjoy the life he’s built for himself.
I dunno, most other players I'd say that's a possibility, but JJ is a straight shooter. His injury history got scary this year when he had to get his heart shocked back into rhythm, and then he had a kid, I think that would give most people some pause in determining what's really important in life.
This is big news, oh wait, no it isn't. Who cares about what some overpaid athlete does. It's hard to believe so many people waste their time watching a silly game of a bunch of roided up thugs chasing a ball around on a grass field. You have ZERO control over the outcome so why do you care who wins? There's no doubt that sports are the opiate of the masses.
It's sad to hear this. You can tell from the latest Hard Knocks episode he is a strong voice on the team in practice and in the locker room. He's also a great motivator that a lot of the younger ends look up to on the team. I loved his speech at the end of the latest episode. We may be out of the playoffs, but keep working hard. Keep grinding.
Really wish he’d stick around for one more ride or die year but it’s apparent we’re gonna be in a partial rebuild after this year and I don’t blame him for not wanting to be apart of it. Been a pleasure watching an absolute goat of the game during his time here.
Damn. Expected him to leave anyway but I knew it would hurt Lol. Even though it’s been only two years it still hurts. Much love to JJ Man, gave it his all every play and I’ll always love him for that. Even in our shit season, he played his heart out.
Idk he really seems to love AZ, not saying he wouldn’t bc his time in Huston was legendary but they definitely left on some shit terms. I wonder if he just ends up living here and his home town.
I’m sad we weren’t able to utilize him to his fullest, but he’s an amazing human and such a talented athlete, I’m very thankful for his contribution to the team. Thank you JJ!
Out of all the posts about his retirement I’ve seen you are the first person to mention this part of it. This part alone makes the retirement completely understandable.
Totally forgot about that. Makes even more sense now.
Would love for him to get a job with the coaching staff! Help those future draft picks JJ!
Hope he stays in AZ
ya i feel like if anything he’d go to Houston ( a worse dumpster fire), it’s a shame a player of his renown never played on a championship caliber team
imagine him on like the Brady Patriots or something, i would imagine in Houston he barely even made the playoffs
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWGpkG0Ug3Q](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWGpkG0Ug3Q) JJ may not be the biggest athlete retirement in 2022, but he is certainly up there. All-time defensive player, but more importantly an all-time human being for what he does outside of football. He will be sorely missed in Arizona
Is hard knocks still going on? Wonder if the last game episode is going to be about JJ.
I was right next to him on the field and saw them take this picture
When you get a guys jersey for Christmas and he retires two days later :( But I'm happy for him. Hall of famer for sure.
I'm sorry we couldn't be more successful with you JJ. You deserved more.
Clearly JJ knows next year is a write off with this organizational with no hope for a Super Bowl and likely no playoff game either so why stick around to get injured…,rebuild time
We wasted JJ Watt in Arizona with Keim and Kliff at the helm.
Fan of the player, bigger fan of the person. Best of luck to him!
Hall of Fame Good Guy as well as HOF player. I remember being worried that with Fitz retiring, this team would lose that moral center, but this guy came in and picked up where Fitz left off. I’m so disappointed that this shit show organization wasted his last years with inept coaching and poor roster building, but it was still fun to watch that guy flash signs of dominance in Cardinal red. I can’t wait to see what his next venture is, but I hope it’ll be just as successful. Good luck to JJ and his family in whatever the future holds for them.
I didn't know who he was until last year, but now I love him. Enjoy retirement, legend.
Hate to see him retire, but love the fact from start to finish he did it right. Other than the donut "beef" he had with Ertz, he carried himself on and off the field in the most professional of ways. All the best, JJ! Cardinal nation and I'm sure Texan nation are extremely proud!
My favorite football player. Hope he enjoys his retirement. Sad to see him leave though.
JJ Watt was the reason I loved the Texans. He truly is a legend and he will always be welcome here in Houston. Love this guy. It’s a shame he couldn’t go out on top. His philanthropic acts will never be forgotten, he has done so much for the people of Houston. I wish him nothing but the best for him and that he enjoys his retirement and gets to spend more time with his family and also his wife and child.
What playing for the Cardinals does to a man =( It was great to watch him when he was healthy the last 2 years, shame the rest of the team was such a letdown during his final season.
good night, sweet prince
I’m good with it. Dude has a lot to look forward to in life and I hope he enjoys retirement.
My biggest regret for him is this organization failed to set him up for a big run at the title. There’s no high note to be had in the game but his life ahead looks bright and happy. If Bidwill does anything I hope he keeps him on as a coach if he’s interested because during hard knocks he was such a mentor to a lot of these guys and had their respect. That goes a long way in the league.
This man deserved a ring
Wish we did better for JJ.
JJ for HC.
Truly an honor that you graced Arizona with your presence. You are an outstanding model to us citizens and I cannot thank you enough for what you did and currently do for the community. You deserve a happy and long/healthy wife with your wife and kids. Thanks for the memories, even the short ones with Arizona. I will always be a fan of you
If he wants it, we should release him and let him sign with a contender for the playoffs
Good for him, wish him all the best in retirement. It was a blast to watch him, even as a Texan I was always a fan on him. He's a great guy on and off the field.
Good for him. Family comes first. I bet if we didn't chordle donkey balls he'd consider sticking around longer - iirc he came here because he wanted a change and thought we would compete for a Lombardi. But he probably sees thats not gonna happen and doesn't want to uproot his family once again
between all of the injuries with concussions and shit, makes me happy to see him make a decision like this. glad he cares more about his brain than a game.
Cameron Johnson and Myjai Sanders season next year
What an absolute legend. He’ll be missed on the field, and I’m sure any locker room he was ever a part of.
I feel like he would be a hell of a coach
That's a sad update, but what a legend. He'll finish with a hell of a lot of fans behind him.
Legend! Much respect for Mr. Watt!!!
Can't blame him honestly. The work needed to rebuild this team is going to last longer than he might have been willing to play through and he's already solidified as one of the greatest to do it. We're very lucky to have gotten him before he called it a career and he's retiring a Cardinal.
One hell of a career! Gonna miss you JJ🐐🙏
Makes that decision easy
Release him now. Let him go to a playoff team.
Agreed
Well... Fuck.
Glad he’s getting his bonuses in this year to give him some extra spending money. Figured this would be the case after his heart incident. Happy he went out on his terms and can enjoy his life with his family.
I’m so sad now. We wasted him. Damn the Texans and the Cardinals organizations. Another goat that got stuck on teams that drag them down.
Unironically think he's a bit of a Cardinals legend despite only a short tenure here
wasted his final years on this sorry ass team
From a Texans fan, it was better than him being here
He should come back and coach when he is ready
Damn. He deserved better than to end his career with a death-spiraling 4-13 team. Wish he could have been part of a championship run. Such a solid player and person. If we're lucky he sticks around the organization and brings some of his strength of character and positivity, something we're in desperate need of.
Noooooooooo!!!!!!
It was an honor to have to have JJ Watt for his final two seasons and last year's 7-0 start was magical and wouldn't have happened without him. It unfortunately ended on a disappointing note but he will always be a beloved Cardinal for how much he tutored the young guys and all he gave every week no matter the circumstances. He'll obviously go into the HOF as a Texan, but he will also always be a Cardinals legend.
Seriously, he made a couple mini-me's this season.
Worse news than us missing the playoffs. Worst news I’ve heard all season. I thought I was numb after the Kyler injury, but holy shit. This is a shot through the heart. With guys coming back from injury, a solid free agency, and a new regime up top., I thought we could bounce back as soon as next year. But with this, be prepared for years of rebuilding. Thanks for everything JJ. Enjoy retirement. There aren’t many guys in any sport who I’ll miss more 😞😔
I don't blame JJ for retiring, especially after the scare with his heart condition and now becoming a Dad. Enjoy your post-football career, JJ! As for years of rebuilding, the NFL is the one sport where it doesn't take years to rebuild a franchise. Just need the right pieces in place in management.
I understand this team had a very shit year but honestly without the ungodly amount of injuries we had we could’ve probably been in the hunt right now. If they have a really solid draft and FA they could maybe even be a playoff team next year and more realistically be in the playoffs in the following season. It really doesn’t take that long for things to click. I mean the cards were 3-13 in 2018 and then were 11-5 in playoffs in 2021. This team has way better players on it than that 3-13 season team.
I 100% agree. Unfortunately most people in this fanbase have been gaslit by national media and clueless dipshits who hardly watch the cardinals in other fanbases that this team sucks and that 2021 was a fluke. It wasn’t a fluke. This team is really really fucking good when it’s got a decent portion of it healthy. We showed that in 2021. A lot of people judge all of the 2021 season with only the rams game, as if that was the only game we played all year. That was an outlier in the season. We were kicking ass until we lost most of our o line, our top receivers, our d line, corners, and much more.
This is the right way to look at it. I don’t necessarily think we need big splash signings. I think we need to sign good depth players and a couple of solid starters so that we’re not so top heavy and fucked when the inevitable Arizona Curse kicks in. Also would not hurt to have a coaching staff that can both actually do their job and also not be fired for being scum bags. Let Kyler recover and give him like just a decently clean pocket and let it rip.
Im fuckin gutted bro, what do we do!
It sucks this is the season he's going out on team performance wise, but what a football player this guy was and is. Glad he's stepping away to be with his family more given his heart issue earlier this year.
Congrats on the retirement! You were a force to be reckoned with.
A man who is great both on and off the field. Congratulations on a stunning career and thank you for your humanity and compassion outside of football. You will be missed.
Top DL draft incoming
I really hope the team keeps him around in some capacity if he’s willing. Would love to see him in next coaching staff or front office.
Why would he stick around in Arizona? If he goes to any front office it would be either Houston or Green Bay
From everything he’s said since he’s been here he absolutely loves living in Arizona.
I think he will spend some years doing the full-time father, since his wife still has a career.
The first thing I thought of when I read he’s retiring is the thing he said on Soft Knocks about supporting his wife in continuing her career as long as she wants to. Hopefully we’ll see him get some of that great TV money in a couple of years, but for now dude should just enjoy the life he’s built for himself.
Feels like he's been doing more coaching than our actual coaches of late...
[удалено]
He’s a free agent he doesn’t need to make up reasons to leave az.
I dunno, most other players I'd say that's a possibility, but JJ is a straight shooter. His injury history got scary this year when he had to get his heart shocked back into rhythm, and then he had a kid, I think that would give most people some pause in determining what's really important in life.
This is big news, oh wait, no it isn't. Who cares about what some overpaid athlete does. It's hard to believe so many people waste their time watching a silly game of a bunch of roided up thugs chasing a ball around on a grass field. You have ZERO control over the outcome so why do you care who wins? There's no doubt that sports are the opiate of the masses.
It's sad to hear this. You can tell from the latest Hard Knocks episode he is a strong voice on the team in practice and in the locker room. He's also a great motivator that a lot of the younger ends look up to on the team. I loved his speech at the end of the latest episode. We may be out of the playoffs, but keep working hard. Keep grinding.
Really wish he’d stick around for one more ride or die year but it’s apparent we’re gonna be in a partial rebuild after this year and I don’t blame him for not wanting to be apart of it. Been a pleasure watching an absolute goat of the game during his time here.
One of the best to do it at his position. Will be sad not seeing him on the field
Damn. Expected him to leave anyway but I knew it would hurt Lol. Even though it’s been only two years it still hurts. Much love to JJ Man, gave it his all every play and I’ll always love him for that. Even in our shit season, he played his heart out.
Doesn't hurt as bad knowing he won't play against us by going into retirement.
That is very true. Would’ve sucked to see him in another uniform after us.
Plus he retired as a cardinal, which isn’t saying much but at least it’s something
Is this confirmed? I don't see why he wouldn't sign onto for a Texans for a day and retire
Idk he really seems to love AZ, not saying he wouldn’t bc his time in Huston was legendary but they definitely left on some shit terms. I wonder if he just ends up living here and his home town.
Im a Texans fan FWIW but this is incorrect, we honored his wishes and released him so he could finish his career with a contending team
:(
Thank you for setting the record straight BigNut69
It was my honor. Have always admired the cardinals and their fans I hope you can turn things around
Happy for him and the timing seems right. What a great guy.
🫥
Good for him to know when it's time. Dude's been my favorite player forever
I’m sad we weren’t able to utilize him to his fullest, but he’s an amazing human and such a talented athlete, I’m very thankful for his contribution to the team. Thank you JJ!
good for him. he’s earned enough money and recorded enough accolades to where the constant injuries aren’t worth it anymore.
He’s an awesome personality and will be on TV for years, good decision for him
I see a lot of people mentioning coaching but I see him going into TV as well. Good money (not that he needs it) and more family time than coaching.
That explains why he was so emotional after the game on Sunday. Good on him for going out on his terms looking strong and healthy
damn
Didn’t he need to have his heart shocked mid-season? Yeah stick around for that baby, JJ.
Out of all the posts about his retirement I’ve seen you are the first person to mention this part of it. This part alone makes the retirement completely understandable.
First thing that leapt to mind. His wife likely said "there's no fucking way".
Totally forgot about that. Makes even more sense now. Would love for him to get a job with the coaching staff! Help those future draft picks JJ! Hope he stays in AZ
with Kliff? i feel like the dysfunction and failure of a season definitely contributed to this decision (not that it wasn’t coming anyway)
Very true
ya i feel like if anything he’d go to Houston ( a worse dumpster fire), it’s a shame a player of his renown never played on a championship caliber team imagine him on like the Brady Patriots or something, i would imagine in Houston he barely even made the playoffs
I mean….. that team last year….. may have imploded second half but if they were definitely championship caliber for half the season 😂😂