Earlier this year in March, former Los Angeles Chargers fullback Derek Watt announced his retirement from the NFL, making his brother, TJ Watt, the last of the trio of brothers to remain an active member of the league.
The Watt brothers, raised by John and Carrie Watt, have changed football's biggest stage, starting in 2011 when JJ, the eldest, was drafted into the NFL.
While Derek did not play in his final season in the league, the 2024 season will be the first in which fans can confidently expect fewer than two Watt brothers to debut on an NFL roster since 2016.
Here's a look at the Watt brothers' NFL careers and where they are now.
NFL RETIREE JJ WATT WILLING TO RETURN TO TEXANS ONLY IF DEMECO RYANS “ABSOLUTELY NEEDS HIM”
From left to right, JJ Watt, Derek Watt and TJ Watt. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
JJ WATT
JJ, born March 22, 1989 in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, was a standout defensive end at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, winning the Ronnie Lott Trophy before turning pro.
Prior to the 2011 NFL season, JJ was selected in the first round and drafted by the Houston Texans, for whom he played until the end of the 2020 season.
In 2021, JJ signed a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals for $31 million, with $23 million guaranteed. He played for two seasons with the Cardinals before announcing his retirement from the game.
JJ revealed to his beloved fans the news of his retirement plans in the final days of 2022 with a post on X, which included a family photo that read: “Koa's first NFL game. My last NFL game at home.”
JJ, arguably one of the greatest defensive ends in NFL history, added: “My heart is full of love and gratitude. It's been an absolute honor and a pleasure.”
Steelers' TJ Watt regrets lack of playoff success, willing to do “whatever it takes to win”
Cardinals fans at Levi's Stadium sent JJ off with a roaring farewell and a standing ovation following a crushing loss to the San Francisco 49ers in his final home game.
On January 8, 2023, JJ took to social media and wrote, “Sometime in the next few days I will find the right words. But for now, all I can say is thank you. You have changed my life forever and I am forever grateful.”
He married his wife, Kealia, a former professional soccer player and NCAA champion, in February 2020.
In 2022, they both announced the arrival of their son, Koa.
Shedding some light on his future with the NFL, JJ joked earlier this year during an interview with SportsRadio 610 in Houston that he would return to the football field if, and only if, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans asked him to protect himself.
JJ WATT REVEALS WHY HE DIDN'T WANT TO PLAY ALONGSIDE BROTHERS IN THE STEELERS
JJ Watt, #99 of the Arizona Cardinals, talks with his wife Kealia Watt and son Koa Watt before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on January 8, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
“Last year I told DeMeco, 'Don't call me unless you absolutely have to, but if you ever call me, I'll be there,'” Watt said, according to FOX Sports. “And he knows not to call unless he absolutely has to. This is the last year I'm going to tell him that, because I'm not going to continue coaching the way I've been coaching, but he knows that if he ever really needs it, I'll be there for him. I don't expect that to happen. They have a very good group.”
JJ hung up his cleats and finished his NFL career with 114.5 sacks, 17 fumble recoveries and 586 total tackles.
The turning point in JJ's career came in 2012, when he completed his second NFL season with a career-high 81 total tackles.
Fans have deduced that his accolades (three-time Defensive Player of the Year, five Pro Bowls, five-time first-team All-Pro selection and two-time NFL sacks leader) propelled JJ to become a first-ballot recipient for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in 2028.
Today, JJ awaits the call to be included as a studio analyst for NFL Today.
JJ WATT'S BROTHERS CELEBRATE NFL STAR'S RETIREMENT BEFORE FINAL GAME: 'THIS MEANS A LOT TO ME'
Brothers Derek Watt, #34 of the Los Angeles Chargers, and TJ Watt, #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers, pose for a photo after a game at Dignity Health Sports Park on October 13, 2019 in Carson, California. (Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
Derek Watt
Derek Watt, born November 7, 1992, also attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he shared the field with his older brother JJ
In 2016, Derek was drafted into the NFL in the sixth round, 198th overall, by the San Diego Chargers, now known as the Los Angeles Chargers, where he played with the franchise for four seasons.
The former fullback signed a three-year contract in 2020 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he spent three seasons and played alongside his younger brother TJ. Derek did not play in his final season with the Steelers after becoming a free agent.
Earlier this year, Derek announced his retirement from the NFL in a social media post on X.
“Dear Football… what a wonderful experience! I'm a kid from Pewaukee, Wisconsin who had the opportunity to live out his childhood dream of being drafted and playing in the NFL. And now, it is with great honor and gratitude that I officially announce my retirement and the end of my career,” Derek wrote.
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He went on to thank his wife, Gabriella, for maintaining her steadfast support for him, as well as his two sons, Logan and Brayden.
“The extra time I now get to spend with you is the best part of retirement,” Derek added.
She continued her message by thanking her parents and said: “This dream would have remained just a dream without the time, effort and support that began at home with you.”
To his brothers, Derek wrote: “This journey together has been absolutely incredible” and the former fullback concluded by showing gratitude towards his manager, agents, teammates, coaches and staff.
“It was an absolute honor to come to work every day,” he concluded.
NFL LEGEND JJ WATT LANDED STUDIO ANALYST POSITION IN HIS LAST RETIREMENT JOIN
From left, Derek Watt, JJ Watt and TJ Watt in the season premiere episode “You Better Run” of ULTIMATE TAG on Fox. (FOX via Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Steeler finished his NFL career with no fumbles, 71 rushing yards, 178 receiving yards and one touchdown on 18 receptions, according to Pro Football Reference.
Derek married his wife in February 2018 in a ceremony in Miami. Gabriella is a real estate agent in Wisconsin, according to Coldwell Banker's website.
It's unclear what Derek's future career holds.
JJ WATT REFLECTS ON JASON KELCE'S “INCREDIBLE CAREER” AND EXPLAINS WHY IT WAS SO “FRUSTRATING TO PLAY AGAINST HIM”
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker TJ Watt remains on the sidelines after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
TJ Watt
TJ, born October 11, 1994, the youngest of the Watt brothers, followed a similar game plan and selected the University of Wisconsin-Madison as his college home.
Derek and TJ played together for the Bucky Badgers until 2015.
In 2017, TJ joined his brothers on the main stage when he was drafted into the NFL in the first round, 30th overall pick, and debuted his rookie year with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In 2020, the outside linebacker again had the opportunity to share a home jersey and field with his brother when the Steelers signed Derek to a three-year, $9.75 million contract.
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Pittsburgh linebacker TJ Watt, #90, celebrates after a sack in the first quarter during the National Football League game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens on January 9, 2022 in Baltimore. (Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
A year later, TJ signed a new $112 million contract with the Steelers.
The six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro defensive back finished the 2023 NFL season with 19 sacks at age 29.
Much to the frustration of Steelers fans, however, TJ has yet to see a lopsided postseason victory with the team.
At the end of the 2023 regular season, the Steelers reported on TJ's knee injury that he suffered in the middle of a confrontation with the Baltimore Ravens.
TJ did not play in the AFC Wild Card game against the Buffalo Bills, when the Steelers lost 31-17. TJ has played in only three playoff games total.
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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt, #90, follows a play during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
With no plans to hold back, TJ acknowledged to The Athletic during a June interview that he will “do everything I can to win” but that he doesn’t “have forever to play,” according to a Fox News Digital report at the time.
The 2024 NFL season is shaping up to be a historic year for TJ as he enters the Steelers' schedule, starting with the Atlanta Falcons in early September, with 96.5 career sacks.
TJ married Dani Rhodes, a former Wisconsin-Madison football player, in July 2022.
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