J.J. Watt‘s “All Gas, No Brakes” caption on Instagram sent New York Jets (and NFL) fans into a tizzy on Tuesday.
Big brother is watching, J.J. Watt. Obviously, the former Houston Texans star already knows any step he takes will be scrutinized in this social media world. But one wonders if he fully thought out his last social media post.
The NFL free agent decided to use the caption “All Gas, No Brakes” in his latest Instagram Story.
Naturally, this created quite the stir in the land of the NFL and especially New York Jets fandom. (Pay no attention to the fact that Saleh’s “All Gas, No Brake” mantra emphasizes a singular brake, whereas Watt goes with the plural version.)
New Jets head coach Robert Saleh famously used the “All Gas, No Brake” slogan in his introductory press conference in late January. So, connecting Watt to the Jets is something very few witnesses bypassed on a news-hungry Tuesday in February.
@JJWatt We’ve got a brand new head coach in NY who just so happens to love this phrase! @nyjets #JustSayin #ShootinMyShot #TalktoDeshawn @deshaunwatson #YoudBothLookKillerInGreen pic.twitter.com/ORVQlG4VSc
— AVT456 (@annemcvt) February 16, 2021
JJ WATT TO THE NY JETS?!?! 👀 #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/3cEzOktgbx
— Knicks, Jets, Etc. Podcast (@KnicksJetsEtc) February 16, 2021
https://twitter.com/matt_mehta/status/1361725275898322958
https://twitter.com/Lcd19861/status/1361750539038564355
What’s important to remember is that “All Gas, No Brake” is a common football slogan—something the majority of the Jets fanbase understands completely. Saleh isn’t the first to use it and won’t be the last. Watt’s (most likely) innocent caption has less to do with the Jets and much more to do with an individual workout en route to a new team that can contend for a Super Bowl.
Watt collected five sacks last year and six in 2019. At 31 years of age, the Wisconsin product had had trouble staying on the field—something Joe Douglas and the Jets will surely focus on this offseason (availability). Few teams (if any) have been hit harder via injury than the Jets over the last two seasons.
Watt’s 48 games played over the last five seasons (possible 80 games) doesn’t paint a terrific picture when his future availability is concerned.
The Jets head into the offseason in need of athletic edge players who can play in space and get after the quarterback. While Watt can play edge and has done so routinely in sub-packages, at nearly 290 pounds, he might be better served on the inside as he grows older.
Think of J.J. Watt’s “All Gas, No Brakes” caption as nothing more than motivating works for an individual workout on a mundane Tuesday in February.
