Former Texans, Cardinals great J.J. Watt to join CBS Sports as NFL analyst

J.J. Watt retired from the NFL at the end of last season but is certainly staying busy, now, with a new job.

The former five-time All-Pro and three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year has signed a multi-year contract with CBS Sports to serve as an NFL analyst, the network announced Thursday. Watt is scheduled to make his debut in the role during "The NFL Today" pregame show Week 1 of the 2023 season, alongside host James Brown and analysts Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason, Phil Simms and Nate Burleson.

He becomes the latest recently retired premier player to transition into broadcasting, joining the likes of Tom Brady and Greg Olsen at Fox Sports, and Tony Romo at CBS.

"I love the game too much to be away from it entirely," Watt, 34, said Thursday in a statement distributed by CBS Sports. "I’m very excited to be joining CBS Sports to contribute across all their NFL shows and platforms, including working alongside and learning from JB, Coach, Boomer, Phil and Nate this fall. Hopefully fans will enjoy the insights and knowledge I’ve gained over my 12 years in the NFL and if we’re lucky, we’ll share a few laughs along the way as well."

CBS president David Berson added in the statement that the network was thrilled to welcome Watt for his "deep passion, unique insights and opinions from today’s NFL."

Who is new CBS Sports analyst J.J. Watt?

Watt played 12 seasons in the NFL for the Houston Texans (2011-20) and the Arizona Cardinals (2021-22). He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a five-time All-Pro, and named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's all-decade team for the 2010s. His three Defensive Player of the Year awards tie him for most all-time with former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor and current Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Watt is the only player in NFL history to record multiple 20-sack seasons. In his career, he totaled 586 tackles and 114.5 sacks. The Texans selected Watt No. 11 overall in the 2011 NFL draft out of Wisconsin. He was also named the 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.

What else has Watt done during his retirement?

Watt and wife Kealia Watt — who played in the National Women's Soccer League from 2014-2021 and also appeared with the U.S. women's national team — invested in Burnley FC, an English soccer team that earned promotion to the English Premier League for 2023.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: J.J. Watt to join CBS Sports as NFL analyst