Latest T.J. Watt workout shows that one more brotherly reunion could be in store for the Pittsburgh Steelers
T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig were back at their alma mater for a summer workout session among Badgers of past and present, but it was the man who captured the details who is generating headlines and buzz.
J.J. Watt, T.J. Watt, and Nick Herbig were all spotted together in a social media post showing past and present Wisconsin football players putting in work. The Pittsburgh Steelers pass rushers looked sharp, and the internet predictably buzzed about how good T.J Watt and Herbig appear heading into 2026. But the part that caught my attention wasn’t the current Steelers. It was the retired future Hall of Famer.
J.J. Watt wasn’t just standing around for a photo op. He was working out alongside current NFL players and rising college athletes, years removed from his last snap in the league. I know Watt has said publicly that if he were going to come back, he already would have, and that he gave serious thought to a return before ultimately deciding against it. That’s fair. But there’s something worth noting about a retired player who continues to train at this level, with this caliber of competition.
J.J. Watt Facts
- 5x Pro Bowler, 5x first-team All-Pro.
- HOF All-2010s Team.
- Finished last season with the Cardinals in 2022, recording 12.5 sacks.
Could T.J. Watt lure J.J. Watt to join the Steelers?
I’m not putting on a tinfoil hat here. I’m not declaring that J.J. Watt is scheming some secret comeback. But if he were to entertain the idea, the Steelers would have to be the No. 1 landing spot on his radar.
The obvious connection is his brother. T.J. Watt is looking for a bounce-back season, and Pittsburgh just locked up Herbig with a new deal, giving the Steelers a formidable edge-rushing group. Adding a player with J.J. Watt’s resume, even at this stage, would give the team a rotation few defenses could match.
Beyond the family ties, there’s a bigger picture. The Steelers, whether they admit it or not, are going for one more run in 2026. Pittsburgh has Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey, Cam Hayward, and T.J. Watt among others. The front office has shown no interest in trading any member of its pass-rushing trio. This roster is aging, and the organization believes it has one more legitimate shot.
Why now would make sense for a J.J. Watt return
That context matters. Building a team for the future wouldn’t make sense for a player in J.J. Watt’s position. But a team loading up for a final push? That’s different. That’s the kind of situation where a motivated veteran with Hall of Fame credentials could carve out a meaningful role.
The truth is, this could all amount to nothing. A fun offseason workout between the Watt brothers and their Wisconsin connections. A retired player who still loves to train. But the Steelers’ timeline and JJ Watt’s continued physical commitment make the speculation hard to dismiss entirely. If the phone ever rings, don’t be surprised if Pittsburgh is on the other end.