Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

T.J. Watt explains his issue with NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year voting

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 2/23/24

Despite leading the NFL in sacks for a third time — the only player to do so since the merger in 1970 — Pittsburgh Steelers edge-rusher T.J. Watt did not win the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023.

During a recent appearance on the Barstool Sports podcast “Pardon My Take,” Watt explained he had no issue with Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett winning the award over him, but rather his issue is with the ambiguity surrounding how the winner is chosen.

“I don't have a problem with any players,” Watt said. “Everybody's phenomenal. Myles, Micah [Parsons] — they're great players, don't get me wrong. It's just that the voting. I want more clarity on how that all comes.”

Despite not directly referencing Garrett's win, Watt expressed his feelings toward the situation via X the night of the NFL Awards.

Nothing I’m not used to.
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) February 9, 2024

Watt and Garrett both had strong statistical seasons.

They had the same number of pressures (86) and forced fumbles (four), but Watt held the edge in sacks (19 to 15), QB hits (19 to 14) and tackles for loss (19 to 17), while Garrett bested him in hurries (57 to 47) and pass-rush win-rate (35.1% to 20.3%), per Pro Football Focus.

Both were named to the Pro Bowl and were First-Team All-Pro selections.

Had Watt won the award, he would have become the ninth player in NFL history, and just the fourth player since 2000 to win the NFL Defensive POY award multiple times. Watt’s older brother J.J. won the award three times (2012, 2014, 2015).

“It's a legacy thing; it really is,” Watt added. “It's not why we play, but it comes along with it. … You work so hard, and when you’re not able to come away from the season with the Super Bowl, you like to fall back on something that the hard work is worth it. And to not get that is a sting, but at the end of the day, it’s more motivation.”

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