Texans HC DeMeco Ryans Responds to J.J. Watt's Offer, Says He's 'Got His Number'

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans responded to future Hall of Fame pass-rusher J.J. Watt's offer to come out of retirement and return to the team.

Ryans told the media on Monday that "I love to hear J.J. saying he's ready" and that "I've got his number ready to go just in case" the three-time Defensive Player of the Year wants to step back onto the field.

On Saturday, Watt told reporters that he would "be there" for the Texans if they "absolutely need" him to come back.

The 35-year-old added that 2024 will be the "last year" he'll offer a potential return, explaining that he's "not going to keep training" the way he's been training with his NFL career seemingly in the rearview mirror.

Watt retired at the end of the 2022 season, starting in 16 games with the Arizona Cardinals and recording 12.5 sacks.

He spent the first 10 years of his career in Houston, developing into one of the top pass-rushers in NFL history.

In four seasons from 2012 through 2015, Watt surpassed 17 sacks on three separate occasions and earned four first-team All-Pro nods. He led the league in sacks twice during that span, including 20.5 sacks as a 23-year-old in 2012.

Watt may still have some gas left in the tank, although injuries slowed him down toward the end of his career. In his final seven years in the league, he appeared in less than 10 games during four of those seasons.

He could still be useful as, at minimum, a rotational defensive end for a Texans team that is attempting to build upon an expectation-shattering 2023 season. Led by quarterback C.J. Stroud in his rookie year, Houston secured an AFC South title before advancing to the second round of the playoffs.

If he returns, Watt may be able to add some depth to defensive unit that racked up a modest 46 sacks in 2023.