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Derek Watt's NFL career has yet to fully blossom, but one of the things he cannot avoid in the entirety of his career is the comparisons that will be made between him and older brother J.J. Watt.
The Houston Texan is one of the most accomplished defensive ends, making five Pro Bowls and five First-Team All-Pro teams. Meanwhile, Derek has played three NFL seasons and is yet to make a Pro Bowl.
He understands the dynamic that he and his more accomplished brother will share the rest of their professional careers. However, he revealed that those comparisons won't have a big effect on his mental state.
“I don’t need a name with the fans,” said Derek, 26, per The Athletic's Daniel Popper. “If people don’t know who I am, then you don’t know who I am.”
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“He knows straight up that as a fullback, no matter what he does or how good he would possibly be, he’s not going to get the recognition or the fame that the other two have gotten or are going to get,” John, his father, said. “So the expectations are not there that he’s ever going to be a super-duper star.”
“I think that’s kind of just the way he wants it,” added T.J., who is two years younger than Derek. “I don’t know if he wants all the glory.”
“I want to make my own name and be successful in my own right,” Derek said.
It's hard to actually compare the two players in terms of professional achievements as they play different positions. J.J. is a fixture in the Houston secondary while Derek gets snaps as an option at fullback.
Should Derek be given an opportunity to get more starting minutes, he may be able to build a case for himself and stand up to his brother's legacy. Until that happens, he has to wait for his chance at the sidelines.
