JJ Watt explains not signing one-day contract with Houston Texans to retire

The Houston Texans will honor former star defensive end J.J. Watt with an induction into the franchise’s Ring of Honor this season, but according to the new retiree, that’s the only ceremonial gesture coming for him.

Following the announcement of his induction, many fans wondered whether the Texans would offer Watt a one-day contract so that he could officially retire as a member of the team, but he’s not interested.

“As far as the one-day contract, I personally just don’t really understand or see the reason for it,” Watt said, via Texans TV host Drew Dougherty. “It’s more just a ceremonial piece of paper. I think that the Ring of Honor and all that comes with it is more than enough… They’ve done it first class the whole way and I appreciate that.

“I haven’t even filled out or done any retirement papers or anything. So I don’t really feel the need to sign a one-day contract or anything. It’s just a piece of paper.”

As much as Texans fans may want to forget that Watt ever left Houston, he also made a significant impact for the Cardinals after his departure.

During his NFL career, Watt has totaled 586 tackles, 114.5 sacks, two interceptions and three touchdowns. Although injuries became a problem the last couple of years, he finished his career with the Cardinals on a bounce-back year, with 39 tackles and 12.5 sacks.

JJ Watt joining Texans Ring of Honor

The Ring of Honor induction ceremony will be on Oct. 1, 2023. It will be a family affair as the Texans host the Pittsburgh Steelers, led defensively by Watt’s younger brother T.J. Watt.

Watt retired from the game after his 12th NFL season. He started out with the Houston Texans, playing from 2011-20, before arriving in Arizona ahead of the 2021 season. He’ll join former Texans receiving legend Andre Johnson and Robert McNair in the Ring of Honor.

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.

One of the biggest things Watt did for Houston wasn’t on the football field. After Hurricane Harvey struck the city, Watt’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund raised over $41.6 million for rebuilding efforts.

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.