Getty Image / Rob Carr
Pittsburgh Steelers fans are some of the most passionate fans in the league. Maybe no fan base supports their players like Steelers fans.
That’s showing up in a big way, as Pittsburgh fans are absolutely livid online that Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year over Steelers star TJ Watt.
The award was announced at Thursday night’s NFL Honors in Las Vegas.
AP Defensive Player of the Year
Myles Garrett 23-13-11 = 165
TJ Watt 19-11-12 = 140
Micah Parsons 7-16-6 = 89
Maxx Crosby 0-5-6 = 21
DaRon Bland 1-2-3 = 14
Antoine Winfield Jr 0-2-1 = 7
Fred Warner 0-1-4 = 7
Roquan Smith 0-0-4 = 4
Khalil Mack 0-0-1 = 1…— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) February 9, 2024
Steelers fans are upset because Watt did have better counting stats this year than his divisional rival. But, the advanced stats and thinks like pressures and hurries do give the edge to Myles Garrett.
With NFL DPOY Candidates announced, a comparison between #Raiders Crosby, #Browns Garrett, #Steelers Watt and #Cowboys Parsons
Metrics from various sites, primarily ESPN and PFF pic.twitter.com/2rS5BpNJX4
— Tristen Kuhn (@KuhnTristen) January 25, 2024
I’m not sure why Steelers fans aren’t understanding that just sacks are a very bad way to measure pass-rushing play, because so many things aren’t factored in. Double team rate, scheme, alignment, and player responsibilities have to be factored in as well. Not to mention a tangible stat like hurries, which are also positive plays for the defense.
Here are some tweets from Steelers fans about what they see as a snub.
Defensive Player of the year—goes to #Browns Myles Garrett and I'm sorry I don't agree
Watt's numbers were better across the board
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) February 9, 2024
I dare any of these voters to defend why they voted for Myles Garrett over T.J. Watt
— J🍩ey Bag 🍩f D🍩nuts 🍩 (@joeybagovdonuts) February 9, 2024
I rarely get upset over these awards because they’re not Lombardi’s and at the end of the day, that’s the only hardware that matters. But you can’t look at these stats and tell me Myles Garrett was more impactful than TJ Watt. He wasn’t. TJ Watt is the DPOY. https://t.co/dvPSiV8rUm
— Kevin Adams (@KevinAdams26) February 8, 2024
What a joke. TJ Watt was clearly a more impactful defensive player this season than Myles Garrett. Numbers don’t lie. #NFLHonors
— kiel (@Half0at) February 9, 2024
Pro sports is literally a popularity contest smh Myles Garrett will never be the player TJ Watt is
— Charles Lew Ray 👹♠️ (@sono_boy_tre) February 9, 2024
Steelers fans are sticking up for their guy in TJ Watt. I get that. But, I think the voters got it right this year. Myles Garrett was the most dominant defensive player this season.