JJ Watt announces he's joining CBS Sports for upcoming NFL season

Following an impressive and decorated 12-year career in the NFL, defensive end JJ Watt decided to step away from the game, announcing on December 27 that he’d be retiring following the 2022 season. But on Thursday Watt revealed that he’d be trading in those cleats for a microphone, announcing that he would be starting his career in media, joining CBS Sports this upcoming season.

Watt had an impressive career in the league, securing three Defensive Player of the Year awards, five First-team All-Pro selections, and five Pro Bowl selections. He ended his career with 114.5 sacks, 27 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries, and 70 pass deflections, and will look to share his football experience and knowledge with the world every Sunday during the football season.

Watt announced his partnership with CBS Sport via Twitter on Thursday morning through a video, which can be seen below.

Sorry, sorry…

C “B” S.

Very excited to be joining the crew for a few Sunday’s this fall!! @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/TrF6PEzGAy

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 29, 2023

Prior to his latest announcement, Watt posted a video saying he landed a job with CVS, the popular drugstore retailer. But shortly after cleared the air on his joke and made his true announcement, while also giving some career advice along the way.

“A little pro tip out there for anybody starting a new job, don’t screw up the announcement, it’s not a good way to start your first day on the job. Especially if that job is at a global network with millions and millions of viewers, hundreds of Emmys, you just want to start off on a better foot. I will be working at CBS this fall,” Watt said with extra emphasis on the B.

Watt did not reveal his exact role with the company, but did express excitement about working alongside James Brown, Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason, Phil Simms, and Nate Burleson. If those are in fact Watt’s direct coworkers he will likely be a part of the network’s pre-game show ‘The NFL Today’ where the panel previews and recaps all of the NFL’s action on Sundays during the season.

“Talk a little NFL this fall, talk a little life, have a global platform to make fun of my brothers on, it really is a great opportunity. I’m very much looking forward to it, very much looking forward to talking NFL with all you fans this fall and hopefully giving you some knowledge, giving you a little experience, and maybe some laughs along the way. So it’s gonna be a lot of fun, I’m excited to join CBS, lets have ourselves some fun,” Watt concluded.