Christopher Hanewinc/Imagn
When 2028 rolls around, JJ Watt may well be a prime candidate to be a first-ballot inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. At his peak, Watt was an unstoppable force for the Houston Texans. He’s a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, five-time first-team All-Pro and a two-time NFL sacks leader.
But Watt’s induction into Canton may well need to wait a little bit longer than some expected. Not because he’s not a worthy first-ballot candidate, but because a return to the NFL might just be on the cards after he made a bet that has since gone sideways.
Watt and his wife Kealia became minority owners of Burnley Football Club, who at the time were members of the English Premier League. Burnley was relegated following the 2023-24 season and currently sits third in the English League Championship hoping to return to the top tier of English soccer.
A large part of the Clarets’ success this season comes down to the fact that they’ve conceded a league-low 9 goals in 29 matches play. That is an astonishing goal record. A large part of that comes down to 22-year-old goalkeeper James Trafford, who has started for England internationally across several age levels and is one of the world’s top young keepers.
Trafford, who is apparently a fan of the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals, texted Watt on Dec. 28 and asked a quick question. “Fancy coming out of retirement for the Bengals next season?
This is starting to become a bit of a concern… pic.twitter.com/MrOdjRz2En
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 18, 2025
Watt replied “You don’t allow a goal the rest of the season and it’s a deal.”
Now, in theory, that’s just a silly exchange and Watt set the bar so incredibly high that he’ll never have to follow through. There’s just one problem.
Burnley has played seven matches since the exchange. Trafford started in six of then (sitting out the team’s 3-1 FA Cup win over Reading) and has not allowed a goal in any of them. The Clarets are 2-0-4 in that span (having been shut out in their own right in four matches).
Burnley still has 17 league matches remaining. So the odds Trafford keeps up his streak feel slim to none. But 9 goals allowed through 29 matches says otherwise, and we could well see JJ Watt back on an NFL field next season if things keep proceeding in the current direction.