J.J. Watt Explains Why He Didn’t Sign Deal to Play With Brothers T.J., Derek on Steelers

The Watts are among the most popular combinations of brothers in the NFL, but the three of them were never able to play together on the same team. However, when J.J. Watt was a free agent in 2021, it almost happened.

While appearing on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast in June, J.J. explained that he considered signing with the Steelers to join T.J. and Derek while they were both in Pittsburgh, but T.J.’s contact negotiations complicated things.

“Certainly, it would have been awesome to play with my brothers, but T.J. was also going through the contract situation there, and the last thing I was going to do was come in and take any money away from his contract,” he said.

J.J. ended up signing with the Cardinals, while T.J. inked a four-year, $112 million extension that September. Had T.J. signed his deal before free agency, there may have been a chance that J.J. would have agreed to play for Pittsburgh, but the eldest Watt wanted didn’t want to get in the way of his little brother’s payday.

Derek, meanwhile, has played with T.J. for each of the last three seasons after four years with the Chargers. So, at least two of the Watts have been able to enjoy playing on the same team in the NFL.