Could one of the best defensive ends of his generation come out of retirement to join the Cincinnati Bengals?It could depend on the success of a second-tier English soccer team.Former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt, who now serves as a studio analyst, shared a conversation he had with James Trafford on social media.Trafford, the goalie for Burnley in the EFL Championship of English soccer, slid into Watt’s direct messages on Instagram to ask him if he’d consider coming out of retirement and sign with Cincinnati for the 2025 campaign.Watt and his wife, Kealia, became minority owners in the club after a May 2023 investment.According to OneFootball.com, 84% of Burnley is owned by ALK Capital, based in the U.S., while the other 16% belongs to individual shareholders, like the Watts.”You don’t allow a goal the rest of the season and it’s a deal,” Watt responded.Saturday, Watt took to X to declare his statement “is starting to become a bit of a concern.”According to Watt’s screenshot, the exchange happened on Dec. 28. In Burnley’s four games since, Trafford has yet to allow a goal and has made seven saves in the process. In Friday’s match against Sunderland, Trafford saved not one but two late-match penalty kicks to keep the game level at its eventual final score, 0-0.Having started 26 of Burnley’s first 27 matches, Burnley have conceded just nine goals (all of which have come with Trafford in net), by far the fewest in the Championship.(The next-closest is Sheffield United’s 17.)Dating back to before his reaching out to Watt, Trafford is on the longest clean-sheet streak of his career, having not allowed a goal in five games. In total, Trafford has registered 17 clean sheets (matches in which he has not allowed a goal) this season.Watt, now 35, retired at the conclusion of the 2022 season and ranks second in NFL history for tackles for a loss (195), 35th in forced fumbles (27) and 34th in career sacks (114.5).He led the NFL in sacks in 2012 (20.5) and in 2015 (17.5) and led the league in tackles for a loss three times – 2012 (39), 2014 (29) and 2015 (29).In each of those years, he was named the Defensive Player of the Year and was named to four-straight Pro Bowls from 2012-2015. He added a fifth Pro Bowl selection in 2018.Burnley’s next match comes on Wednesday against last-place Plymouth Argyle, who are tied for the second-fewest goals scored with just 25.The Clarets currently sit third in the Championship, two points out of an automatic promotion spot to the Premier League for next season. Before you go ordering your Watt Bengals jerseys, do keep in mind Burnley still has 19 regular-season Championship matches left.
Could one of the best defensive ends of his generation come out of retirement to join the Cincinnati Bengals?
It could depend on the success of a second-tier English soccer team.
Former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt, who now serves as a studio analyst, shared a conversation he had with James Trafford on social media.
Trafford, the goalie for Burnley in the EFL Championship of English soccer, slid into Watt’s direct messages on Instagram to ask him if he’d consider coming out of retirement and sign with Cincinnati for the 2025 campaign.
Watt and his wife, Kealia, became minority owners in the club after a May 2023 investment.
According to OneFootball.com, 84% of Burnley is owned by ALK Capital, based in the U.S., while the other 16% belongs to individual shareholders, like the Watts.
“You don’t allow a goal the rest of the season and it’s a deal,” Watt responded.
Saturday, Watt took to X to declare his statement “is starting to become a bit of a concern.”
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According to Watt’s screenshot, the exchange happened on Dec. 28. In Burnley’s four games since, Trafford has yet to allow a goal and has made seven saves in the process.
In Friday’s match against Sunderland, Trafford saved not one but two late-match penalty kicks to keep the game level at its eventual final score, 0-0.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Having started 26 of Burnley’s first 27 matches, Burnley have conceded just nine goals (all of which have come with Trafford in net), by far the fewest in the Championship.
(The next-closest is Sheffield United’s 17.)
Dating back to before his reaching out to Watt, Trafford is on the longest clean-sheet streak of his career, having not allowed a goal in five games.
In total, Trafford has registered 17 clean sheets (matches in which he has not allowed a goal) this season.
Watt, now 35, retired at the conclusion of the 2022 season and ranks second in NFL history for tackles for a loss (195), 35th in forced fumbles (27) and 34th in career sacks (114.5).
He led the NFL in sacks in 2012 (20.5) and in 2015 (17.5) and led the league in tackles for a loss three times – 2012 (39), 2014 (29) and 2015 (29).
In each of those years, he was named the Defensive Player of the Year and was named to four-straight Pro Bowls from 2012-2015. He added a fifth Pro Bowl selection in 2018.
Burnley’s next match comes on Wednesday against last-place Plymouth Argyle, who are tied for the second-fewest goals scored with just 25.
The Clarets currently sit third in the Championship, two points out of an automatic promotion spot to the Premier League for next season.
Before you go ordering your Watt Bengals jerseys, do keep in mind Burnley still has 19 regular-season Championship matches left.
It’s starting to become a bit of a concern for Cincinnati Bengals fans as rumors swirl that a modern-day NFL great may be considering coming out of retirement to sign with the team. With the Bengals looking to bolster their roster and make a playoff push, the possibility of adding a seasoned veteran to the mix has fans buzzing with excitement.
While the identity of the potential retiree remains unknown, the mere speculation has ignited a sense of hope and anticipation among Bengals faithful. Could a former superstar be eyeing a comeback to help lead the team to glory? Only time will tell.
As the offseason progresses and free agency heats up, all eyes will be on the Bengals as they navigate this intriguing possibility. Will a modern-day NFL great don the orange and black once again? Stay tuned to find out.
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