J.J. Watt made his position clear Friday in Cincinnati: when a franchise has a quarterback the caliber of Joe Burrow, you build everything possible around him. Watt’s comments came on the heels of the Bengals’ high-profile defensive move this spring and amid questions about Burrow’s durability following an injury-shortened 2025.
Watt backs trade for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence
The Bengals on April 19 traded the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft to the New York Giants in a deal that brought back defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. The move was the most prominent roster upgrade Cincinnati made this offseason as it tries to rebound from a 6-11 finish in 2025.
Speaking to reporters in Cincinnati — where Watt was in town for an international friendly between Burnley FC and FC Cincinnati — the three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year said the Lawrence acquisition addressed the team’s most pressing need: the defensive line.
“I feel like I have a kinship with Cincinnati over the years,” Watt said. “For some reason, the Bengals, the city of Cincinnati and myself have kind of been intertwined kind of my whole career.”
Watt, who with his wife Kealia are minority owners of Burnley (they joined in May 2023), also noted in the interview that a club with a quarterback like Burrow must do everything to maximize its window of contention.
Burrow’s status and recent production
Burrow’s 2025 campaign was derailed by a Grade 3 turf toe suffered in the second quarter of Cincinnati’s Week 2 game at Jacksonville. The injury required surgery and carried a recovery projection of at least three months; Burrow ultimately appeared in just eight games.
Despite the shortened season, Burrow, the No. 1 overall pick in 2020, still threw for 1,809 yards and 17 touchdowns. That followed his 2024 season in which he led the NFL with 4,918 yards and 43 passing touchdowns.
| Year | Games | Passing Yards | Passing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | 4,918 | 43 |
| 2025 | 8 | 1,809 | 17 |
Perspective from a veteran pass rusher
Watt’s endorsement carries weight: he was selected No. 11 overall in the 2011 draft, finished his career with 114.5 sacks and won AP Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2012, 2014 and 2015 before finishing his playing days with Arizona.
Watt told reporters the Bengals’ roster construction — prioritizing a defensive upgrade opposite Burrow — was sensible. He framed the move as part of giving Cincinnati the best chance to compete when its franchise quarterback is available.
- Trade impact: Lawrence was acquired using Cincinnati’s 2026 top-10 pick.
- Burrow’s health: Turf toe surgery curtailed 2025; recovery expected to be multi-month.
- Watt’s view: Teams with elite quarterbacks must assemble supporting rosters to remain contenders.
The Bengals have leaned into that blueprint, betting that shoring up the trenches will amplify the window for a player who has already produced elite numbers when healthy. Watt’s public backing adds a seasoned voice to the conversation as Cincinnati heads into training and the 2026 season with renewed expectations.
