Look: J.J. Watt to Bengals Possibility Officially Ends

It was always a massive long shot.

Former Arizona Cardinals player J.J. Watt talks with senior reconditioning coordinator Buddy Morris before their game against the Chicago Bears at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 3, 2024. | Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — J.J. Watt will not be making an NFL return to play for the Bengals this fall. 

Watt is a part owner of the Burnley English soccer club and his goalkeeper, James Trafford, wanted him on the Bengals.

The former NFL All-Pro defensive end and three-time Defensive Player of the Year joked about the possibility of ending his retirement and playing for Cincinnati if the Burnley goalkeeper held up his end of a bet to not allow any goals for the rest of the English League Championship season. 

Burnley gave up its first goal in league play since Dec. 17 on Tuesday in a match against Cardiff City with Trafford in the net. Watt won't be coming back to the NFL anytime soon, but he sure did bring plenty of fun headlines to his soccer club.

Cincinnati, that was a fun ride.

Hope you enjoyed getting to know a bit about Burnley & our squad.

What an unbelievable run for Traff & the boys. An improbable bond formed from across the pond. Bengals fans are welcome on Turf Moor any time.

As for me:
A feast & a drink await. https://t.co/x6902rskxV

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 4, 2025

ESPN | ESPN

This is starting to become a bit of a concern… pic.twitter.com/MrOdjRz2En

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 18, 2025

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