The news of J.J. Watt's retirement -- announced unprompted on social media -- seemed to come out of nowhere on Tuesday.
Apparently, Watt's employers with the Arizona Cardinals were among those caught off-guard.
Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury revealed on Wednesday that he had "no idea" Watt's retirement was in the offing.
"I'm happy for him," Kingsbury said. "It seems like he's in a really good place. We had no idea that was coming, but what a tremendous player, person, and an all-time great in this league. So, to see him play the way he played the other night, and then you hear that -- I think it's just a special time for him, the organization and the entire NFL to kind of celebrate him for these last two weeks."
It's unclear exactly why Watt would have played his big news so close to the vest.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk speculated that perhaps Watt "simply didn't trust" the Cardinals after Watt had suggested earlier in the season that news of his heart being shocked back into rhythm during a cardiac episode had been leaked to a reporter.
On Tuesday, Watt tweeted what appeared to be his retirement announcement. The post included a photo with his wife and newborn son.
"Koa's first NFL game. My last ever NFL home game," Watt said. "My love is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It's been an absolute honor and pleasure."
The five-time All-Pro heads into his final two games with 111.5 career sacks in 149 regular-season games. He was arguably the league's most dominant defensive player in the early 2010s with the Houston Texans, compiling 69 sacks in 64 games and being named Defensive Player of the Year three times in a four-year stretch from 2012-15.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram