J.J. Watt’s playing days may be behind him, but the retired defensive end apparently already has found a way to assert himself in the conversation with some of the biggest names in his new field.
Now a CBS analyst, Watt showed off his new reporting chops Thursday with a major scoop about former Cardinals teammate Zach Ertz, who’s been on injured reserve since Oct. 24 with a quad injury.
In Watt’s announcement, he revealed that Ertz, with whom he played in 2021 and ’22, had a recent request for his release granted by Arizona, allowing him to hit free agency in order to “sign with a contender.” Watt’s report also featured a hilarious tongue-in-cheek nod to Schefter, whose confirmation of the move moments later put him the rare position of being late to a story.
“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),” wrote Watt on X (formerly Twitter).
Trying new things in retirement, so let’s steal @AdamSchefter job for a day...
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 30, 2023
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
Confirming @JJWatt: Cardinals and TE Zach Ertz are mutually parting ways, with Arizona deciding to move forward with its TE Trey McBride while giving Ertz the opportunity to finish out the season somewhere else, per sources. Ertz will go on waivers. https://t.co/Y6btKVKVZH
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 30, 2023
After putting together Hall of Fame-worthy career across 12 pro seasons, Watt didn’t take long to get his name in the mix with the game’s top reporters.
