J.J. Watt still swears he would have joined Bengals

[ASFN Admin]

J.J. Watt swears he wasn’t kidding about signing with Joe Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals.

So says Watt, a minority investor in English soccer club Burnley FC, during a recent visit to the Queen City.

Speaking with local media like Caleb Noe of WCPO, Watt reinforced the idea that he would have honored a friendly wager last year and found his way to the Bengals.

Bits of the interview:

“I was 1000% serious … I would’ve put on the stripes.”

Last year, JJ Watt had a bet that he would play for the Bengals if Burnley’s GK didn’t allow a goal the rest of the season.

After 12 clean sheets, James Trafford finally gave up a goal. So the bet was off.

JJ says he… pic.twitter.com/NghSxGLNVM

— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) July 10, 2026

Back in 2025, Watt had wagered that if goalkeeper James Trafford hit a near-impossible clean-sheet mark, he would sign with the Bengals.

Trafford got close but didn't pull off the nearly impossible task, so everyone never got to find out if Watt would have made his way to the Bengals.

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: J.J. Watt still swears he would have joined Bengals

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