Following season-ending injuries in both 2016 and 2017, Houston Texans’ defensive end J.J. Watt started questioning his football future stating that he doesn’t know how long will he play. But after a stellar season in 2018 in which he played all 16 games and earned All-Pro honors, Watt realized that he wants to be on the football field as long as he can.
“I don’t want to leave the game any time soon,” – Watt told ESPN’s Sarah Barshop. “I love it. Hopefully, we can say that I had two less years of pounding on my body, I had two less years of wear and tear, so that means two more years on the back end.”
Watt also said that he feels “good right now” and expressed his excitement about the upcoming season.
“I feel good right now. I’m excited about the season ahead.” – he added. “I’m excited about the team that we’ve got and the guys that we’ve got. I love it. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I get to go around and chase a ball for a living, and they pay me to do it. I couldn’t be any luckier.”
J.J. Watt entered the NFL in 2011 as the 11th pick in the draft by the Houston Texans, and has since established himself as one of the best defensive players in the game. He won three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards between 2012 and 2015 while also earning four Pro Bowl appearances and four All-Pro honors in the same period.
In 2016 season, however, Watt had to undergo two back surgeries which limited him to three games. He recovered in time for the start of the next season and started five games before suffering a leg injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season once again.
Watt finally had an injury-free season in 2018, returning to his old form which was recognized by All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl appearance. He finished the year with 61 tackles, 16.0 sacks, and seven forced fumbles.
