Will JJ Watt Come Out Of Retirement? The Cincinnati Bengals Could Be His Next Team

Could JJ Watt be suiting up in Bengals stripes next season? It sounds crazy, but thanks to a bet with Burnley FC goalkeeper James Trafford, the retired NFL legend might be closer to a comeback than anyone expected. What started as a joke has turned into a legitimate possibility as Trafford continues to defy the odds, and Bengals fans suddenly have a vested interest in English soccer.

The Bet That Started It All

Back in December, Trafford- an avid Cincinnati Bengals fan- casually asked JJ Watt if he’d consider coming out of retirement to play for his favorite team. Watt, thinking it was a safe bet, responded that he’d do it- if Trafford managed to keep a clean sheet for the rest of the season. At the time, the challenge seemed impossible. No goalkeeper in English football history had recorded more than 14 consecutive shutouts, and Trafford needed to hit 24 in a row.

Fast forward to today, and Watt might be sweating. Trafford has racked up an incredible 12 consecutive clean sheets, already making history as one of the hottest goalkeepers England has ever seen. The bet, once a joke, is now halfway to becoming reality.

Watt Is Watching, And So Are the Bengals

Trafford’s streak has caught the attention of fans worldwide, and Burnley’s social media team has made sure to remind Watt that the bet is still alive. During a recent interview on The Dan Patrick Show, Watt admitted he never expected it to get this far.

“It started as a literal joke,” JJ Watt said. “But now he’s beaten almost every record in English football history. It’s getting pretty serious.”

And the Bengals? They might actually be interested. The team struggled defensively last season, and adding a three-time Defensive Player of the Year- a player who’s still in shape- would be an immediate upgrade. Watt acknowledged that while he hasn’t spoken with the Bengals, he’s open to following through on his word.