JJ Watt Career Earnings: A Look at the NFL Star’s Financial Success
J.J. Watt is one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL. He has been a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the Pro Bowl five times. As a result of his outstanding play, he has earned a significant amount of money throughout his career.
According to Spotrac, J.J. Watt has earned $129.45 million in career earnings. He signed a six-month contract extension with the Houston Texans in 2014 worth $100 million. This contract made him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league at the time. Watt’s agreement with the Texans also included a $10 million signing bonus and $51.8 million guaranteed money.
Throughout his career, J.J. Watt has been one of the most productive defensive players in the NFL. He has recorded over 100 sacks and has been a dominant force on the field. His outstanding play has earned him a significant amount of money and made him one of the most recognizable players in the league.
| Year | Team | Earnings ($) |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Houston Texans | $4,005,650 |
| 2012 | Houston Texans | $885,848 |
| 2013 | Houston Texans | $1,606,618 |
| 2014 | Houston Texans | $1,969,818 |
| 2015 | Houston Texans | $10,005,000 |
| 2016 | Houston Texans | $10,500,000 |
| 2017 | Houston Texans | $14,500,000 |
| 2018 | Houston Texans | $11,000,000 |
| 2019 | Houston Texans | $15,500,000 |
| 2020 | Houston Texans | $17,500,000 |
| 2021 | Arizona Cardinals | $28,000,000 |
| Total | $115,472,934 |
Early Life and College Career
J.J. Watt was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on March 22, 1989. He grew up playing football and hockey, and his athletic ability earned him a scholarship offer from Central Michigan University. Watt played 14 games at Central Michigan but left the program after his freshman year due to a coaching change.
Watt then transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and walked on to the football team. As a redshirt sophomore, he earned a scholarship and became a starter on the defensive line. During his junior season, he recorded 62 tackles, seven sacks, and an interception and was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection.
In his senior year, Watt continued dominating the field, recording 21 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and three forced fumbles. He was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. After the season, he declared for the NFL Draft and was selected 11th overall by the Houston Texans in 2011.
Watt’s college career was marked by his versatility and athleticism. He played multiple positions on the defensive line and was used as a tight end in goal-line situations. His work ethic and dedication to the game were evident from his walk-on status to All-American honours.
Professional Career with Houston Texans
J.J. Watt began his professional football career with the Houston Texans in 2011. He was selected in the first round of the NFL draft, 11th overall. During his rookie season, Watt played in all 16 games and immediately impacted the Texans’ defence. He recorded 56 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. His performance earned him a spot on the NFL All-Rookie Team.
Watt’s peak performance years with the Texans were from 2012 to 2015. During this time, he established himself as one of the best defensive players in the league. In 2012, he recorded 20.5 sacks, becoming only the second player in NFL history to have 20 or more loads in a single season. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the first time. Watt continued his dominance in 2013, recording 10.5 sacks and 80 tackles. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.
In 2014, Watt signed a six-year contract extension with the Texans worth $100 million, making him the highest-paid defensive player in the league at the time. He continued to play at a high level, recording 17.5 sacks and 78 tackles. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the third time.
Unfortunately, Watt’s career was plagued by injuries in the following years. In 2016 he played in only three games due to a back injury. He underwent surgery and missed the rest of the season. In 2017 he played only five games due to a tibial plateau fracture. He underwent surgery and missed the rest of the season. In 2018, he played in all 16 games but recorded only 16 sacks, his lowest total since his rookie season.
Despite the injuries, Watt remained dominant on the Texans’ defence. He recorded 96 sacks and 282 tackles during his career with the team. In 2021, he was released by the Texans and signed a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals worth up to $31 million.
Move to Arizona Cardinals
In March 2021, J.J. Watt signed a two-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals worth $31 million, with $23 million guaranteed. The move to the Cardinals came after he spent ten seasons with the Houston Texans, where he established himself as one of the best defensive players in the league.
Watt’s decision to join the Cardinals was influenced by several factors, including the team’s head coach, Kliff Kingsbury, and quarterback, Kyler Murray. The defensive end was impressed with
Kingsbury’s vision for the team and the opportunity to play alongside Murray.
Despite being in the twilight of his career, Watt’s impact on the Cardinals’ defence was immediate. In his first game with the team, he recorded a sack, two tackles for loss, and a pass deflection. His teammates and coaches have also praised his presence on the field and in the locker room.
From a financial standpoint, Watt’s move to the Cardinals was lucrative. He received a $12 million signing bonus, and his average annual salary is $14 million. The move also allowed him to increase his career earnings, which according to Spotrac, is $129.45 million.
Overall, J.J. Watt’s move to the Arizona Cardinals has been successful. He has provided a much-needed boost to the team’s defence and has helped them become a contender in the NFC.
Career Earnings Breakdown
J.J. Watt is one of the most successful defensive ends in the history of the NFL. He has played for two teams in his career, the Houston Texans and the Arizona Cardinals. For his 12-year career, Watt has earned a significant amount of money. In this section, we will break down his career earnings.
Houston Texans Earnings
Watt spent the first 10 years of his career with the Houston Texans. During that time, he signed two contracts with the team. His first contract was a four-year deal worth $11.24 million, which he signed in 2011. In 2014, he signed a six-year contract extension worth $100 million. This contract made him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league at the time.
According to Spotrac, Watt earned $88,009,770 in base salary and signing bonuses during his time with the Texans. He also earned $12,991,502 in other rewards and incentives. This brings his total earnings with the Texans to $101,001,272.
Arizona Cardinals Earnings
In 2021, Watt signed a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals worth $28 million. This contract included a $12 million signing bonus and $23 million in guaranteed money. In March 2023, the Cardinals designated Watt as a post-June 1st release, which means they will save $20 million in cap space in 2023.
According to Spotrac, Watt earned $28 million in base salary and signing bonuses during his time with the Cardinals. He also earned $0 in other rewards and incentives. This brings his total earnings with the Cardinals to $28 million.
Overall, J.J. Watt has earned a total of $129,706,498 in his NFL career. This includes base salary, signing bonuses, and other rewards and incentives.
Endorsements and Other Income Streams
J.J. Watt’s career earnings are not limited to his contracts and salaries. He has also made significant income from endorsements and other income streams.
According to Sportskeeda, Watt’s net worth is estimated to be $10 million. This net worth includes income from various endorsement deals Watt has signed throughout his career. Some companies that have endorsed Watt include Reebok, Gatorade, and Ford.
In addition to endorsements, Watt has also made income from other sources. For example, he has written a book titled “The Workout” which provides insight into his training regimen. The book has been a commercial success and contributed to Watt’s net worth.
Watt has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts throughout his career. He founded the J.J. Watt Foundation in 2010, which focuses on providing after-school activities for children. The foundation has raised millions of dollars and has helped thousands of children across the United States.
Overall, Watt’s career earnings have been significant and supplemented by various endorsement deals, income from his book, and philanthropic efforts.
Charitable Work and Philanthropy
J.J. Watt is a talented football player and philanthropist who has significantly impacted his community. He founded the J.J. Watt Foundation in 2010 to provide after-school activities for children to help them realize their full potential. The foundation has raised millions of dollars to support various sports programs and educational initiatives for children.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Watt raised over $37 million to support relief efforts in Houston. He personally visited affected areas and distributed supplies to those in need. Watt’s efforts earned him the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2017, recognizing players’ excellence on and off the field.
Watt has also been involved in various other charitable endeavours, including partnering with the YMCA to provide free memberships to needy children and families. He has also worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses.
Overall, J.J. Watt’s charitable work and philanthropy have significantly impacted his community and beyond. His dedication to helping others has earned him respect on and off the field.
Legacy and Impact on the Sport
J.J. Watt is regarded as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. Despite facing injuries throughout his 12-year career, Watt’s impact on the sport has been significant. He has left a lasting legacy both on and off the field.
Watt’s statistics speak for themselves. He ranks fourth in the NFL with 111.5 sacks since he entered the league in 2011. He has also recorded 531 solo tackles, 172 tackles for loss, and 25 forced fumbles. His three Defensive Player of the Year awards (2012, 2014, 2015) testify to his dominance on the field.
Off the field, Watt has been equally impressive. He has been a vocal advocate for charitable causes, raising millions of dollars for disaster relief efforts and other philanthropic organizations.
In 2020, he was named the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year, recognizing his off-field contributions to the community.
Watt’s impact on the sport goes beyond his individual achievements. His work ethic, dedication, and commitment to excellence have inspired countless young athletes. His leadership and presence in the locker room have been instrumental in the success of his teams.
In conclusion, J.J. Watt’s legacy and impact on football are undeniable. His contributions on and off the field have set a high standard for future generations of athletes.
Conclusion
J.J. Watt is one of the most successful NFL players of his generation. He has earned $129,706,498 in his NFL career, making him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league’s history. Watt’s success is due to his talent on the field and his ability to secure lucrative endorsement deals.
Throughout his career, Watt has been recognized for his outstanding performance and has been named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times. He has also been named to the Pro Bowl five times and selected as a First-Team All-Pro five times. These accolades are a testament to his exceptional skills as a defensive player.
Watt’s career earnings have been broken down into various categories. His salary and winnings have amounted to $27.5 million, while his endorsements have brought in an additional $7 million. Watt’s contract details show that he earned money through signing bonuses, guaranteed salaries, dead money, and roster bonuses.
In conclusion, J.J. Watt’s career earnings reflect his hard work, dedication, and exceptional skills on the football field. His success has made him one of the highest-paid defensive players in NFL history and a role model for aspiring athletes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is JJ Watt’s total career earnings?
JJ Watt has earned $122.5 million in his NFL career as of August 2023, according to Sportrac.
How much money has JJ Watt made from endorsements?
JJ Watt has made significant money from endorsements throughout his career. As of August 2023, his endorsement deals include partnerships with Reebok, Gatorade, and American Family Insurance, among others. According to Forbes, his estimated annual earnings from endorsements are around $7 million.
What is JJ Watt’s estimated net worth?
JJ Watt’s estimated net worth is around $100 million as of August 2023, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
How much does Derek Watt earn in his career?
Derek Watt, JJ Watt’s younger brother, has earned $6.5 million in his NFL career as of August 2023, according to Spotrac.
What is T.J. Watt’s current salary?
T.J. Watt’s current salary is $10.089 million for the 2023 season, according to Spotrac.
How do JJ Watt’s career earnings compare to Tom Brady’s?
JJ Watt’s career earnings are significantly lower than Tom Brady’s. As of August 2023, Tom Brady has earned $363.8 million in his NFL career, according to Sportrac.
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