5 Shocking 2024 Updates: Where Are The NFL Watt Brothers Now?

The Watt brothers—J.J., T.J., and Derek—have dominated the NFL landscape for over a decade, but the year 2024 has brought the most dramatic shifts yet for the legendary Wisconsin family. From career-defining retirements and major health scares to surprising new ventures in international sports ownership, the trio’s status has changed completely.

This deep dive provides the most current, up-to-date information on the brothers as of December 2025, revealing the latest on T.J.'s recovery, J.J.’s surprising new business empire, and the official end of one brother’s professional football career, solidifying their legacy as one of the greatest sibling acts in sports history.

The Watt Brothers: Complete Career & Biography Profiles

The three brothers, all defensive standouts from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, all played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers before making their mark in the NFL. Here is a consolidated look at their careers and most recent status updates.

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• J.J. Watt (Justin James Watt)
  • Born: March 22, 1989 (Pewaukee, WI)
  • Position: Defensive End (DE)
  • College: Wisconsin Badgers
  • NFL Draft: 2011, Round 1 (11th overall) by the Houston Texans
  • NFL Teams: Houston Texans (2011–2020), Arizona Cardinals (2021–2022)
  • Major Awards: 3x AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), 5x Pro Bowl, 5x First-Team All-Pro, 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year.
  • Current Status: Retired (Jan 2023). Now a sports owner and analyst.
• Derek Watt (Derek John Watt)
  • Born: November 7, 1992 (Pewaukee, WI)
  • Position: Fullback (FB)
  • College: Wisconsin Badgers
  • NFL Draft: 2016, Round 6 (198th overall) by the San Diego Chargers
  • NFL Teams: San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2016–2019), Pittsburgh Steelers (2020–2022)
  • Major Awards: N/A (Special Teams standout)
  • Current Status: Retired (March 2024).
• T.J. Watt (Trent Jordan Watt)
  • Born: October 11, 1994 (Pewaukee, WI)
  • Position: Outside Linebacker (OLB)
  • College: Wisconsin Badgers
  • NFL Draft: 2017, Round 1 (30th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers
  • NFL Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (2017–Present)
  • Major Awards: 2021 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), 7x Pro Bowl (including 2024 season), 3x First-Team All-Pro, NFL single-season sack record (tied, 22.5).
  • Current Status: Active player for the Steelers, recovering from a major lung injury sustained in the 2024 season.

T.J. Watt’s 2024 Season: A DPOY-Caliber Year Ends in Health Crisis

While J.J. and Derek have hung up their cleats, T.J. Watt continues to cement his legacy as one of the most dominant defensive players of his generation. The 2024 NFL season was another Pro Bowl year for the Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker, who recorded 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss.

However, T.J.’s season ended with a major health scare that sent shockwaves through the league. Following the conclusion of the 2024 regular season, T.J. was hospitalized due to discomfort and underwent surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung.

The news was made public by his older brother, J.J. Watt, who provided updates on social media, confirming that T.J. was progressing steadily but would be out for the Steelers' playoff run. The injury highlighted the brutal physical toll of the game, even on elite athletes, and raised questions about his long-term health, though his recovery is expected to be complete before the start of the next season.

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The fact that T.J. was able to finish the season with such high production despite the underlying issue is a testament to his toughness, a trait shared by all the Watt brothers. He was named to his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl, further solidifying his Hall of Fame trajectory.

J.J. Watt’s Post-NFL Empire: From Defensive End to European Soccer Mogul

Since retiring from the Arizona Cardinals in January 2023, J.J. Watt has not slowed down. His post-NFL career has been marked by a surprising and highly successful transition into sports ownership and media.

The biggest news of 2024 revolves around his growing portfolio in international soccer. J.J. and his wife, former USWNT star Kealia Watt, purchased a minority ownership stake in the English Premier League club Burnley FC in 2023. This move was not a passive investment; J.J. has been an active, vocal supporter, even joking about doing a "pub crawl for research" to connect with the fanbase.

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He further expanded his global sports footprint in 2024 by acquiring an ownership stake in the Spanish La Liga club Espanyol. These ventures have allowed J.J. to fulfill an "adrenaline void" left by football, transitioning his competitive energy into the business of sports.

In addition to his ownership roles, J.J. has become a prominent sports analyst, regularly appearing on major networks to discuss NFL games, further leveraging his deep knowledge of the game and his charismatic public persona.

Interestingly, J.J. also left the door open for a potential, albeit unlikely, return to the league. He stated that he would only consider coming out of retirement for one team—the Houston Texans—and only if head coach DeMeco Ryans desperately needed his help.

The End of an Era: Derek Watt’s Official Retirement

The third brother, Derek Watt, officially announced his retirement from the NFL in March 2024. A standout fullback and special teams ace, Derek spent the 2023 season as a free agent after his contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers expired following the 2022 season.

Derek’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable run where all three Watt brothers were simultaneously active in the National Football League. While he may not have the Defensive Player of the Year awards of his brothers, Derek was highly respected for his blocking ability and his leadership in the locker room, particularly during his time with the Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers.

His announcement was a quiet, dignified end to a professional career that, like his brothers, began at the University of Wisconsin. His retirement allows him to focus on family and other ventures, though he remains a visible part of the Watt family’s philanthropic efforts.

The Watt Legacy: Philanthropy and Net Worth

The Watt brothers’ influence extends far beyond the gridiron. Their commitment to service and community is a core part of their brand, largely driven by J.J.’s foundation work.

The J.J. Watt Foundation is a major entity, having raised millions to support after-school athletic programs for middle schools. J.J. is also known for his individual charitable acts, such as covering the funeral costs for all the victims of the tragic Waukesha Christmas Parade attack in 2021.

These professional and philanthropic successes have naturally led to significant financial wealth. J.J. Watt’s estimated net worth is around $70 million, accumulated through his massive NFL contracts, high-profile endorsements, and his new sports ownership ventures. T.J. Watt, as one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league, also commands a massive salary and endorsement portfolio, ensuring the Watt name remains synonymous with both elite performance and community service.

The 2024 season and subsequent offseason have clearly ushered in a new chapter for the Watt family. One brother is retired and building a global sports empire, another is retired and transitioning to family life, and the third is recovering from a major health scare while still dominating the NFL. The next few years will see their legacy transition from active players to legendary figures in the annals of football history.