Pass rusher J.J. Watt could end his career as a Houston Texans player if he signs a one-day contract with the franchise, as numerous players have done before him. But he’s declining for a good reason.

J.J. Watt is already considered an NFL legend. The pass rusher, who spent ten of his twelve active years chasing quarterbacks with the Houston Texans, recently announced the end of his career. As a player for the Arizona Cardinals, for whom he played in the past two seasons.

It is common practice among NFL professionals that after retirement a one-day contract is signed with the franchise for which one was active for most of one’s career, with which one’s heart lies.

J.J. Watt, however, rejects that! “As far as the one-day contract, I personally don’t understand the reason for it,” Watt is quoted as saying by the Houston Texans.

Watt inducted into the Texans’ Ring of Honor

“It’s more of a ceremonial piece of paper. I think the Ring of Honor and everything that goes with it is more than enough. I think they did a first class job and I appreciate that. I haven’t even filled out or done any retirement paperwork. So I don’t feel the need to sign a one-day contract or anything. It’s just a piece of paper,” continued Watt, who was recently inducted into the Texans franchise’s Ring of Honor.

The 34-year-old has every reason to turn down a one-day contract. While the contract offers him no benefits, there is one key drawback!

No advantages, only disadvantages

If Watt does decide to continue his career, as it stands now, he could easily do so as a free agent and negotiate with any NFL team since his contract with the Cardinals expired.

However, if he signs with the Houston Texans for one day and then resigns, he would end up on the Texans’ “reserve/retired list” and would have to ask the franchise for a formal release before he could sign with a new team.

Most recently, Tom Brady informally agreed to sign such a one-day contract with the New England Patriots and resign as a Patriot.