What can’t J.J. Watt do?
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year is nearly a year into retirement and already drawing strong reviews for his work as an in-studio CBS Sports analyst, but he’s now trying his hand at a new gig: NFL insider.
Watt beat Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport to the punch on Thursday, breaking the news that Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz requested and was granted his release from Arizona.
“Trying new things in retirement, so let’s steal Adam Schefter’s job for a day,” Watt tweeted, revealing that Ertz has been waived and is aiming to sign with a contender for the stretch run.
Trying new things in retirement, so let’s steal @AdamSchefter job for a day…
TE Zach Ertz has requested & been granted his release from the Arizona Cardinals.
The 3-Time Pro Bowler plans to sign with a contender and make a run at his 2nd Super Bowl ring.
(This is easy Adam) pic.twitter.com/pK4qCcCfay
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 30, 2023
“This is easy Adam,” Watt added, poking fun at Schefter after winning the battle to break the news.
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The job of an NFL insider is all about connections, and Watt has a strong connection to Ertz. The two were teammates in Arizona for parts of two seasons and, by all accounts, are good friends. Not only that, Watt’s wife Kealia and Ertz’s wife Julie also played alongside one another in the NWSL and on the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Watt tweeted a photo of himself and Ertz out to dinner with Michael Phelps, Jon Rahm and their wives to celebrate Ertz and Rahm’s birthdays earlier in November.
All sports were insulted equally at the table tonight.
Happy Birthday Ertzy & Rahmbo!!
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 10, 2023
Ertz, who won a Super Bowl during his nine seasons with the Eagles, has spent all of November on injured reserve with a quad injury, and he likely wouldn’t have had a large role when he returned. Second-year tight end Trey McBride has broken out for the Cardinals in Ertz’s absence, racking up 351 yards in five games since the veteran was placed on IR. A fresh start made sense for both sides, and that’s what Ertz will get with the move.
Ertz will become a free agent if he passes through waivers unclaimed. If that’s the case, fans hoping to find out where Ertz is signing might want to turn their Watt notifications on.
