Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt isn’t taking his recent NFL Defensive Player of the Year snub lightly.
The NFL on Thursday announced the winners of a handful of season-long awards during the annual NFL Honors show. While Watt was listed as a finalist for the 2024 NFL DPOY award, he ended up losing to Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.
Watt may have caught wind of the result before the official announcement. The Steelers star posted on social media a full hour before the NFL Honors event began.
“Nothing I’m not used to,” wrote Watt using his official X account.
Nothing I’m not used to.
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) February 9, 2024
Watt was named 1st-team All-Pro this season for the fourth time in his 7-year NFL career. Watt led the league in sacks with 19.0 sacks along with 4 forced fumbles and 1 interception.
Garrett lagged behind Watt in the sacks department, finishing with 14.0 sacks of his own. But Garrett was the lynchpin holding together a Browns’ defense that had a case as the NFL’s best this past season. Cleveland allowed a league-best 270.2 yards per game.
The Browns defender edged out his Steelers counterpart with 23 first-place votes compared to Watt’s 19.
While Watt has a legitimate gripe to be upset, another finalist backed Garrett as well.
Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons defended Garrett’s claim to the award over both Watt and himself, calling Garrett the “better player” amongst the three. Parsons pointed to Garrett facing more double teams and having a greater impact against opposing quarterbacks — something not as easily measured on the stat sheet.
Horrible take!! Myles was the better player!! Reality of the situation ! Myles Faced way more double teams and affect on qbs! Fans please stop looking at stats and look at film please!! https://t.co/neF8LwtfKk
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) February 9, 2024
Whether Watt deserved to win or not, the Steelers standout will likely use the snub as fuel for next season.
