Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt has officially retired from the NFL after a dozen seasons, and he is going out with his head held up high, even though his team stumbled to a 4-13 record and will not participate in the playoffs.
He played his final game against the San Francisco 49ers, and although his team lost 38-13, he recorded two sacks to run his season total to 12.5, which is tied for eighth in the league.
The leader in that category is the 49ers’ Nick Bosa, who finished with 18.5 sacks.
Once Sunday’s game concluded, Bosa offered a classy gesture by congratulating Watt on a very nice career.
Nothing but respect 🤝 pic.twitter.com/DJyN2qTOJ3
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 9, 2023
“Yeah I talked to him after, just gave him my respect, told him, ‘Way to end on a two-piece,’ ” Bosa recalled. “Not a bad way to end it. I think he has 12 on the year and to go out on that note, I’m happy for him.”
Watt has amassed 114.5 sacks and five selections to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro First Team over the years, and he will certainly get some consideration for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He and his brother T.J. Watt, who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, have been two of the NFL’s best, if not its best pass rushers over the last several years.
But in Bosa, pro football may have found its newest blitz monster.
The Ohio State University product has made the Pro Bowl three times in his four-year career (he was injured the one year he wasn’t selected), and he has 34 sacks over the last two seasons.
With Bosa spearheading the 49ers’ defense, which is considered the best in the NFL, he is thought to be the favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.
With the way he has been pressuring opposing quarterbacks, San Francisco has an excellent chance of winning its sixth Super Bowl in the coming weeks.
