Arizona Cardinals star JJ Watt announces retirement after 2022 season

It appears J.J. Watt’s time in the NFL is coming to an end. The Arizona Cardinals star announced his retirement in a tweet Tuesday morning, following the conclusion of the 2022 season.

Watt tweeted a photo of his family’s at the Cardinals’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week, commemorating his newborn son’s first NFL game. Then, he confirmed it was his last home game — confirming he plans to retire after the season.

“Koa’s first ever NFL game. My last ever NFL home game,” Watt tweeted. “My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It’s been an absolute honor and a pleasure.”

Watt is in his 12th NFL season, starting out with the Houston Texans from 2011-20 before arriving in Arizona ahead of the 2021 season. A three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he appeared in five Pro Bowls, earned five All-Pro selections and won the 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year award, among his many accolades.

The Texans drafted Watt with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft after an impressive career at Wisconsin following a transfer from Central Michigan. He was a first team All-American and first team All-Big Ten selection that year as the Badgers shared the Big Ten title and clinched a Rose Bowl appearance.

During his NFL career, Watt has totaled 580 tackles, 111.5 sacks and two interceptions. Although injuries became a problem the last couple years, he’s in the midst of a good bounce-back year, though, with 33 tackles and 9.5 sacks.

Earlier this year, he had a cardiac event that required medical attention before returning to the field right away. He went into atrial fibrillation and had his heart shocked back into rhythm two days before playing a game.

Watt’s last two NFL games will come on the road against the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers.