Home Controversial Juicy6

The Unstoppable Watt Brothers: 7 Shocking New Chapters In J.J., T.J., And Derek’s 2025 Legacy

• minute read
Contents

The Watt brothers—J.J., T.J., and Derek—have defined a generation of NFL dominance, but as of late December 2025, the narrative of this powerhouse family has taken several dramatic and unexpected turns. Their collective journey now spans beyond the gridiron, featuring a shocking retirement, a terrifying mid-season health scare, and a massive pivot into the world of European football ownership.

The latest updates confirm that while one brother solidifies his status as a media mogul and global sports investor, another faces a recovery challenge that has cast a shadow over his NFL season, and the third quietly closes the door on his professional playing career. This is the definitive, up-to-the-minute look at the current status and evolving legacy of the most famous sibling trio in modern football.

The Complete Watt Brothers Biography and Career Timeline

The foundation of the Watt legacy begins in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, where John and Connie Watt instilled a relentless work ethic in their three sons. All three attended the University of Wisconsin, playing for the Badgers before being drafted into the NFL, cementing their place as one of the most successful football families in history.

  • J.J. Watt (Justin James Watt)
    • Born: March 22, 1989 (Pewaukee, Wisconsin)
    • College: University of Wisconsin (Defensive End)
    • Drafted: 2011, Round 1 (11th overall) by the Houston Texans
    • NFL Teams: Houston Texans (2011–2020), Arizona Cardinals (2021–2022)
    • Key Awards: 5x Pro Bowl, 5x First-team All-Pro, 3x AP Defensive Player of the Year (a record shared with Lawrence Taylor), 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
    • Current Status: Retired (End of 2022 season). Now a major sports broadcaster and global investor.
  • Derek Watt (Derek John Watt)
    • Born: November 7, 1992 (Pewaukee, Wisconsin)
    • College: University of Wisconsin (Fullback)
    • Drafted: 2016, Round 6 (165th overall) by the San Diego Chargers
    • NFL Teams: San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2016–2019), Pittsburgh Steelers (2020–2022)
    • Key Awards: Played 110 career games as a high-impact special teams player and versatile fullback.
    • Current Status: Retired (March 2024).
  • T.J. Watt (Trent Jordan Watt)
    • Born: October 11, 1994 (Pewaukee, Wisconsin)
    • College: University of Wisconsin (Outside Linebacker)
    • Drafted: 2017, Round 1 (30th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers
    • NFL Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (2017–Present)
    • Key Awards: 7x Pro Bowl, 4x First-team All-Pro, 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year, NFL sacks leader (2020, 2021).
    • Current Status: Active NFL player, recovering from a significant 2025 season injury.

The 2025 Status Report: T.J.'s Health Scare and Derek's Quiet Exit

The 2025 NFL season has been a period of stark contrast for the two younger brothers, with one facing a career-altering decision and the other battling a sudden, frightening health crisis.

1. Derek Watt's Official Retirement in March 2024

The first major shift in the Watt family's NFL presence came in March 2024 when Derek Watt officially announced his retirement from professional football. After a seven-season career split between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the veteran fullback hung up his cleats. Derek’s career, while less decorated than his brothers’ in terms of major defensive awards, was marked by his indispensable role on special teams and as a reliable blocker. His retirement leaves T.J. as the sole Watt brother still active on an NFL roster.

2. T.J. Watt’s Terrifying Collapsed Lung Incident

The most alarming and freshest news surrounding the Watt family involves T.J. Watt’s health status during the 2025 season. The Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker suffered a partially collapsed lung, a medical issue reportedly caused by a dry needling treatment session at the team facility. The injury required surgery and immediately cast a "murky and uncertain" status over his immediate return, according to reports in late 2025. J.J. Watt has been vocal in providing updates on his younger brother’s recovery, emphasizing that T.J.’s focus is strictly on getting healthy first and foremost.

3. T.J. Still Dominates the NFL Defensive Landscape

Despite the frightening mid-season setback, T.J. Watt continues to be one of the most dominant defensive players in the league. His production during the 2024 season, which preceded the lung incident, included a remarkable 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in 17 regular-season games. His performance earned him a seventh consecutive Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro Second Team honors, solidifying his place as the premier pass-rusher in the NFL and the current standard-bearer for the Watt family on the field.

J.J. Watt’s Multi-Million Dollar Post-NFL Career Pivot

J.J. Watt’s retirement at the end of the 2022 season was not an exit from the spotlight, but rather a massive career pivot. The former Defensive Player of the Year has aggressively expanded his portfolio, moving into both media and international sports ownership, transforming his personal brand into a global business empire.

4. Landing a High-Profile CBS Broadcast Gig

For the upcoming 2025 NFL season, J.J. Watt is taking a monumental step in his media career. He has been promoted to a major broadcasting role, joining CBS’s No. 2 broadcast team alongside veteran play-by-play commentator Ian Eagle. This move positions Watt as one of the most prominent new voices in football commentary, a significant upgrade from his previous studio analyst role on "The NFL Today."

5. Investing in English Football: Burnley FC

One of J.J.'s most surprising ventures is his move into "the other football." Along with his wife, former professional soccer player Kealia Watt, J.J. became a minority investor in the English club Burnley FC. The investment was a conscious decision to fill the "adrenaline void" left by his NFL retirement and has allowed him to tackle a new passion project with his family.

6. Expanding Ownership to Spanish Football: RCD Espanyol

Not satisfied with just one European football investment, J.J. Watt further expanded his global sports portfolio by becoming part of the ownership group that acquired the Spanish La Liga club RCD Espanyol. This Barcelona-based team marks Watt's second major European soccer investment, demonstrating a clear, growing focus on international sports ownership in his post-playing career.

7. The Unbreakable Legacy of the Watt Family

Even as their careers diverge—with one retired, one recovering, and one dominating the media landscape—the Watt brothers continue to share an unbreakable bond and a powerful legacy. Their parents, John and Connie Watt, are famously proud of their sons’ achievements, from their Wisconsin Badgers days to their Pro Bowl selections. Beyond the awards, the family’s philanthropic endeavors, often tied to J.J.'s Walter Payton Man of the Year legacy, ensure that the Watt name will be remembered for its impact both on and off the field. The trio’s combined success—a shared total of four Defensive Player of the Year awards and numerous All-Pro selections—remains a benchmark for sibling achievement in professional sports.

jj watt brothers
jj watt brothers

Detail Author:

  • Name : Mr. Morgan Kreiger
  • Username : kay.schaefer
  • Email : colby93@gmail.com
  • Birthdate : 1993-01-16
  • Address : 8321 Kohler Station Suite 448 North Zander, AL 01741-9104
  • Phone : 1-571-565-3374
  • Company : Labadie-Rodriguez
  • Job : City Planning Aide
  • Bio : Ut non veritatis et maiores unde. Voluptas accusamus eligendi totam tempore qui. Ipsam deleniti debitis quisquam quae pariatur dolor beatae.

Socials

linkedin:

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@runtez
  • username : runtez
  • bio : Ab ut voluptatem voluptate magni illum.
  • followers : 3406
  • following : 967

instagram:

Random Posts