Could J.J. Watt’s Career be Hall Of Fame Worthy Without a Ring?

So far this offseason, any talk regarding J.J. Watt has been over where his next home will be in 2021, as he requested his release from the Houston Texans on February 12th. And even though Watt has aged and broken down near the end of his Houston tenure, it shouldn’t discount what he was able to achieve during his time in Steel Blue & Battle Red. But now, the question arises as to whether or not everything Watt’s done up to this point is enough to make the case for his Hall of Fame consideration, even if he never wins a ring with whatever team he signs with next. The answer is a resounding yes, and here are a few reasons why.

Generational Talent

The most obvious part of making it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame is that you must have been consistently great. Mediocracy has no place in this conversation, and Watt is far from that. In ten seasons with Houston, Watt has led the league in sacks twice (2012 & 2015, both 20+), tackles for loss three times (2012, 2014, & 2015), earned 5 First-Team All-Pro and 5 Pro Bowl nods and took home three defensive player of the year awards (2012, 2014, & 2015), something only Lawrence Taylor and Aaron Donald have ever done. Overall, Watt racked up 101 sacks, 531 total tackles, 43 total turnovers, and three defensive touchdowns, as well as three receiving touchdowns in 2015. And that’s just on the on-field production. Off of it, Watt has been a pillar of Houston’s community, winning the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2017 after raising over $37 million to help the city recover from Hurricane Harvey. And while the injuries he’s piled on over the years forced him to miss 32 out of 160 games, Watt is still considered as one of the best players of his generation, which can by no means be discounted.

Positional Success

The idea that Watt will not get into the Hall of Fame because he does not have a ring is not only outweighed by his true talent and body of work, but also by the position he plays. The only position on the field that factors winning into your body of work when discussed for the Hall of Fame is the quarterback position.  There have been numerous players over the years that have made the Hall of Fame without a ring, and these guys arguably were not as good as Watt. On the other hand, quarterbacks such as Tony Romo, Philip Rivers, and Matt Ryan might be penalized for never winning the big game, even if their numbers suggest that they are deserving to be enshrined in Canton. If Watt was a quarterback, this would be a different story, but the fact that he is a defensive end cancels out the need to win in the playoffs in order to validate his entrance into Canton.

He Is Not Done Yet

While the Hall of Fame talk has already started for Watt, there is an argument to be made that he still has plenty left in the tank. Watt is still only 31-years-old, and is about to put himself in a good position to succeed, wherever he decides to sign. Regardless, a couple more good seasons would be just icing on the cake, all but locking in his spot for the Hall, while also silencing his doubters, if there are any. Watt is going to be a significant addition to whoever signs him, and they should expect his addition to their roster to bolster their pursuit for a Super Bowl ring, giving Watt his ultimate goal.

Info from profootballreference.com

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-By: Richie Dordas