HOUSTON — Though J.J. Watt has not given any indication that he's coming back to football, it's something fans have been speculating about since he hung up his cleats after last season.
And if he does return to the NFL, would the future Hall of Famer return to the Texans?
Watt posted to social media that he was working out in Houston last week at the Texans' facility. And while a return to the NFL or the Texans may be a long shot at best, one of his former teammates and fellow member of the team’s Ring of Honor addressed it Sunday when asked by KHOU 11's Matt Musil.
“I honestly feel he retired a little early,” former Texans’ receiver Andre Johnson said Sunday. “That’s just my personal opinion. I think he still has some football in him."
Watt retired from football after his second season in Arizona. His stint with the Cardinals came after 10 seasons in Houston, the team that drafted him out of Wisconsin. He started this football season as a studio analyst for CBS Sports.
If he did come back to Houston, Johnson said it would be something special for the team and the city.
“That would be crazy,” Johnson said. “I think definitely the fans would love it.”
Watt has been a regular on the Pat McAfee Show, and some of his appearances have added a little fuel to the rumors, including one appearance last week. That's when he told McAfee that he’s been working out with the Texans players. After that, McAfee posted to Twitter, “WHEN ARE YOU SIGNING WITH THE TEXANS”
Watt may not have time to play. He and his wife Kealia Ohai Watt are minority owners in Burnley FC and are spending a lot of time with the team.
Johnson was at Sunday's game to "rep H-Town on the field" during pregame festivities.