JJ Watt is fed up with those criticizing NFL Rookie at OTAs

There are times when criticism is justified. For JJ Watt, though, the opening days and week of OTAs in the NFL are not one of those times.

Watt shared a spirited rant on Twitter this week about some of the posts, comments, and reactions to players trying to work on their craft in OTAs. He said it’s beyond unfair, specifically to the rookies, considering he knows what it’s like to struggle in the NFL, especially in the era of the social media microscope.

“Rookie has a rough practice in first week of OTA’s”

No shit. It’s called being a rookie.

Let these guys develop, let them grow, let them get some NFL coaching.

Everyone has bad practices. I’m not saying they’re gonna turn into an All-Pro. Just maybe don’t crush ‘em day one. pic.twitter.com/LiyAbPtf8N

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 1, 2023

“‘Rookie has a rough practice in the first week of OTAs’. Yeah? That’s called being a rookie,” Watt said. “It’s called the first week of OTAs. I had rough practices every single year in my 12 years. I’ve had rough games, multiple rough games. Like, s*** is hard. It’s the National Football League.”

“This is part of the reason why it’s tough for guys to develop. Because we’re judging everybody on every single individual rep every single day. We’re posting videos online of practice reps, guys working on their craft, and guys trying new things,” continued Watt. “That’s one of the reasons why the guys are scared to try a new pass rush move in one on ones in practice, which is when you should be working on your pass rush moves, Because they’re scared that somebody’s gonna film it and put it online. And, because they got blocked, they look like an idiot.”

When it comes to examples of development, Watt is a very good one himself. After one season at Central Michigan, he earned his shot at the pros by moving up to Wisconsin. Then, after posting decent numbers as a rookie with the Houston Texans, Watt came back and won Defensive Player of the Year in three of the next four seasons.

What if the Badgers hadn’t taken him from CMU? Or if everyone had written Watt off after his first season in H-Town? That’s the point he’s emphatically trying to get across.

Watt understands the mindset around the NFL. He gets that its a business and that fans want to see phenomenal production as soon as possible. Still, in Watt’s opinion, everyone should be giving these players a lot more grace when it comes to their preparation.

“Like, let guys develop, let guys grow. I understand. This is a business. We’re paid millions of dollars and you expect greatness right out of the gate out of every single guy. You’re gonna say suck it up and deal with it. But let’s let guys develop, let’s let guys get some practices under their belt,” Watt said. “Let’s let guys get into the league and let’s let them grow as a player. Let’s let them get some NFL coaching.”

“We don’t need to be s***tin’ all over guys in their first week of practice in the National Football League. Just let ’em grow,” said Watt.