The Cincinnati Bengals lost veteran defensive end Sam Hubbard to retirement on Wednesday morning, a day after their hopes of luring J.J. Watt out of retirement came to an end. The story of Watt potentially unretiring to join the Bengals is quite interesting, though, and involves English soccer team Burnley F.C., which Watt owns a stake in.

Watt is now an analyst for CBS Sports on Sundays. The 35-year-old has teased an NFL return, even paying attention to the Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers' situations over the years, but he seems content with retired life.

To recap: Watt and his wife are minority owners of the English football club Burnley, currently standing third in the Championship table. All the way back in December, Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford asked Watt to come out of retirement and play for the Bengals.

Watt told Trafford he'd make an NFL comeback with the Bengals if the goalkeeper didn't allow a goal for the rest of the season.

A friendly bet between a former five-time All-Pro defensive end and an English goalkeeper could have seen one of the great NFL pass rushers come out of retirement.