JJ Watt slams the media for being harsh on rookies

There seems to be more and more pressure on rookies in the NFL each year as first-year players are expected to step in and immediately become major contributors. Former NFL star JJ Watt recently went on Twitter and slammed the media for being too tough on rookies early on in their careers.

Watt’s post came as OTAs are going on throughout the NFL and rookies are getting their first action at the next level.

“That’s called being a rookie. It’s called first week of OTAs. I had rough practices every single year of my 12 years. I’ve had rough games. I’ve had multiple rough games,” Watt said. “Like the shit’s hard. This is 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.”

Instead of giving rookies a grace period and lowering expectations early on, Watt said that the media and fans expect greatness immediatley.

According to him, that mindset leads to players not developing the way that they should.

“We’re posting videos online of practice reps and guys working on their craft and guys trying to do new things. It’s one of the reasons the guys are scared to try a new pass rush move in 1-on-1s in practice, which is when you should be working on your pass-rush moves,” Watt said. “Because they’re scared that somebody’s going to film it and put it online, and because they got blocked, now they look like an idiot.”

JJ Watt added that he understands that players are getting pad a lot of money and need to perform.

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year would also just like to see some patience being used before guys are judged.

“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. And you’re going to say, ‘Suck it up and deal with it,’” Watt said. “But let’s let guys develop. Let’s let guys get some practices under their belt; let’s let guys get into the league and let them grow as a player. Let’s let them get some NFL coaching. We don’t need to be shitting all over guys on their first week of practice in the National Football League. Just let them grow.”

Watt is now enjoying retirement after an incredible NFL career. In addition to winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, 2014 and 2015, he was also named a first-team All-Pro five times.