After Myles Garrett received his lifetime achievement award, some call it the Defensive Player of the Year award, this past January, Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt wrote on “X”, “Nothing I’m not used to.”
Garrett had 42 total tackles (33 solo), 14 sacks, 30 QB hits, three passes defended and four forced fumbles, along with one fumble recovery over 16 games.
Watt had 68 total tackles (48 solo), 19 sacks, 36 QB hits, eight passes defended, four forced fumbles, along with one interception and three fumble recoveries (one touchdown).
So, just looking at that, it’s pretty obvious Watt should’ve won.
Before the Steelers and the Browns go at it on Thursday night in Cleveland, Garrett took a little bit of a shot at Watt.
"I've never complained about the trophy not being at my house." Said Garrett on Tuesday. "He shouldn't be feeling two ways about it going to me. We're just going to play the game, I don't play against TJ, he doesn't play against me. We have a plan to go out and do what we're supposed to, win the game.
Dominate on defense. It's up for grabs this year, may the best man win."
Again, looking at the stats, the best man didn’t win last year. Watt didn’t show up to the NFL Awards this past January.
Watt spoke later in the day after Garrett had made his comments:
“I have respect for everybody in this league, obviously a guy who's been a top pass-rusher in the league for a long time. But I don't compete directly against him. It's our team versus their team and at the end of the day I just want the Pittsburgh Steelers to come out with a win."