The Pittsburgh Steelers fan base has been furious ever since the NFL Honors on Thursday night when it was announced that Myles Garrett won the 2023 Defensive Player Of The Year Award over TJ Watt. The argument for Garrett winning the award was that he had better numbers when it came to newer, advanced analytics. However, no edge rusher in the NFL had better on-field production than Watt. This left a lot of the sports world confused as to how Watt didn't win DPOY, including JJ Watt.
Steelers' TJ Watt's DPOY Snub Leaves Brother Confused
Going into the night of the NFL Honors, most knew that it was a long shot for TJ to win the DPOY Award. It was clear that voters were allowing the advanced statistics such as pass rush win rate and double team percentage to sway their votes more than on-field production and actual statistics. TJ also left little to the imagination after he posted to social media insinuating that he was skipping the awards show. On Friday, the day after Garrett was announced as the DPOY, JJ tweeted out his thoughts about his little brother being snubbed for the award.
"Everyone is asking for my opinion on DPOY. I get it. The problem is I have no interest in tearing down MG [Myles Garrett]. Myles is a phenomenal player, I'm a big fan and he's had an incredible career so far. I can acknowledge that while also wondering what more TJ could have possibly done."
JJ tweeted this out along with a picture that compared both TJ and Garrett's stats for the 2023 season. There was not a single statistic that Garrett beat TJ in, and TJ finished above Garrett pretty handily in most areas. Garrett played one less game than TJ, but even if he played that game he wouldn't of been able to catch up to TJ in terms of production.
JJ knows a thing or two about winning the NFL's DPOY Award. He won the award three times during his NFL career, including winning it in back-to-back years in 2014 and 2015. TJ won the award once so far back in 2021, while also being snubbed in 2020 when Aaron Donald was honored as the NFL's DPOY.
TJ finishing in second place for the award in 2023 marks the second time he has been snubbed, only this time it is much more egregious. He finished with five more sacks than Garrett, while also consistently proving to be a game-wrecker. He recovered three fumbles while returning one for a touchdown, and he also had an interception that he returned to inside the 10-yard line. Garrett only recovered one fumble, and is not a factor when it comes to pass coverage.
After his first time being snubbed for the award during the 2020 season, TJ came back in 2021 with a vengeance and played with a chip on his shoulder. He tied the single-season sack record, and earned himself the NFL's DPOY Award. Based off how he reacted to being snubbed in 2023, fans can expect TJ to play the same way in 2024.
After beating Garrett in every major statistical category for a defender, there wasn't anything more TJ could have done to win the award in 2023. TJ accomplished something no other played has ever done, as he led the league in sacks for the third time in his career. Despite this, Garrett has emerged as the NFL's darling, and it was clear the award would be given to him regardless. It seems the only way TJ will be able to capture his second DPOY is to break the single-season sack record, which he currently holds.
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