JJ Watt Retires From NFL Football

Legendary defensive star, JJ Watt, has shocked the football world by announcing his retirement. The Arizona Cardinals player said that Sunday’s defeat by Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be his last NFL game on home turf. It marks the end of a glorious career for the 33-year old as the defensive end was voted the best defensive player in the NFL no less than three times. 

Much of Watt’s glory years were spent playing with the Houston Texans where he helped the team shorten their odds at the best US sports betting sites thanks to his defensive knowhow. While things haven’t gone quite as well at the underperforming Cardinals, there is little doubt that Watt is one of the all-time greats.

Recounting Watts’ incredible career

Over his 12 years on the gridiron, JJ Watt has become the player to watch for brutal defensive play. In just over a decade, he managed to amass no less than 111.5 sacks, 580 tackles and an astonishing 27 forced fumbles.

What’s truly impressive is the way in which these playing records are spread across his career. This can be seen in the fact that Watt is the only player in four decades to have landed over 20 sacks in multiple seasons. It was this consistency that helped Watt win the defensive player of the year award in 2012, 2014 and 2015, and he even claimed the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year accolade in 2017.

Not that Watt was just a champion on the field. The player was also highly regarded for his efforts away from the gridiron as could be seen when he managed to raise over $37 million in charitable funds for the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston.

Looking back over his career, Watt said that his heart was filled with, ‘nothing but love and gratitude’ and that the home game against the Buccaneers was his final game, but also the first NFL game for his baby son, Koa.

Can the Cardinals bounce back from the loss of Watts?

Losing a legendary player like JJ Watts is never going to be easy, and it’s going to be hard to know how the Cardinals will make amends for his absence. Arizona have now failed to make the playoffs and they have just two games of the regular season left against Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers.

Most betting picks wouldn’t fancy the Cardinals against the in-form 49ers who are coming off the back of wins over the Washington Commanders, Seattle Seahawks and the Buccaneers. The game against the Falcons isn’t going to be a pretty affair as both teams are at the bottom of their divisions, but it could give the Cardinals a chance to improve on their poor 4-11 record.

Ultimately, it will all come down to what kind of deals Arizona can pull off in the 2023 draft. But with a massive hole to fill in that defensive line, it would take a brave bettor to use any sportsbook offers to make the playoffs next season.

Get ahead of the next NFL game with these top US sportsbooks!

4.6/5

FanDuel Review

New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days

Bet now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

4.5/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

4.5/5

DraftKings Review

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days

Bet now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days after issuance. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. 7 days = 168hrs. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 8/23/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.