JJ Watt will go down as one of the greatest pass-rushers of all time, but even he had his fair share of tough experiences on the gridiron.
In his prime, Watt was a threat. In his second, fourth and fifth years in the NFL, he was the Defensive Player of the Year. Yet he played in just eight games in 2016 and 2017 combined, eight in 2019 and seven in 2021.
Now that Watt is retired, he’s been researching NFL OTAs, which recently opened. However, he has trouble with all the pressure from the media and fans are putting struggling rookies into their first taste of professional soccer.
Watt posted a video of himself on Twitter and Instagram ranting about overreactions based on bad practice early in one’s career.
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Arizona Cardinals defensive end JJ Watt is pictured before a game against the Los Angeles Rams, on September 25, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin/File)
«‘Rookie has a tough practice in their first OTA week.’ Yeah, that’s called being a newbie. It’s called the first OTA week,» Watt said. «I’ve had tough practices every year in my 12 years. I’ve had tough games. I’ve had several tough games. Shit is tough. It’s the National Football League.»
«This is part of the reason it’s hard for guys to develop. Because we’re judging everyone on every individual replay every day,» he continued. «We’re posting videos online of practice reps and guys working on their craft and guys trying to do new things. It’s one of the reasons guys are afraid to try a new rush pass move in one-on-one in practice, which is when you should be working on your quick moves, because they are afraid someone will film it and put it online, and because they got blocked, now they look like jerks. Let the guys develop. Let the guys grow up.»
“I understand, this is a business. We get paid millions of dollars, and you expect greatness from the start of every single guy, and you’re going to say, ‘Hang on and deal with it.’ But let the boys develop. Let the guys get some practices under their belt. Let the boys enter the league. Let them grow as players. Let’s get them some NFL training. We don’t need to be sh– -Pounding all the guys in their first week of practice in the National Football League. Just let them grow.»
JJ Watt of the Arizona Cardinals looks on against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Cleveland. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
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It’s unclear if Watt called out anyone in particular, but one of the most popular reports in recent days has been about Will Levis. Levis reportedly struggled in practice for the Tennessee Titans but shook it off.
«I know I have more chances tomorrow and the day after, so I’m not going to punish myself.» levis said. «High standards is the name of the game. It’s not to punish yourself. It’s to motivate you to go out there and perform to the best of your ability.»
Levis was selected by Tennessee in the second round after a shocking slump in the NFL Draft: at one point he was the favorite to be the second overall pick.
Will Levis of the Tennessee Titans (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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Watt, of course, was put on trial immediately after the Houston Texans drafted him 11th overall; many of the fans originally hated the pick until it played out pretty well and shut everyone up for good.