Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher Micah Parsons finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Unlike TJ Watt, who surprisingly did not win the award, Parsons was not salty about the results.
Parsons gave Myles Garrett his props, while also defending the writers who voted Watt second or left him off the ballot altogether. Of the three main finalists, Watt led in the following categories -- sacks, tackles, QB pressures, QB hits, tackles for loss, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, interceptions, pass deflections and defensive touchdowns.
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
As Parsons noted, stats don't always tell the full story. However, it's tough to deny Watt's impact on every game the Steelers played. Much like both Parsons and Garrett, opposing offenses must gameplan for Watt's every move. He always has the potential to blow up a game, and force turnovers on his lonesome.
The argument from Steelers fans and Watt defenders is not just linked to Watt's statistics, but the lack of impact from Garrett over the final third of the season. Perhaps Garrett was dealing with an injury, but that doesn't excuse the lack of production when his counterpart in Pittsburgh helped carry the Steelers to the postseason.
Steelers fans fuming over Micah Parsons defense of Myles Garrett
As for Watt himself, he has long noted that team success is far more important to him than individual accolades.
"I'm not about the individual goals anymore," Watt said in December. "I've set myself up nice where I've been having a good career but it doesn't matter if you're not winning games when they matter most. I think that's objective No. 1, for sure."
Still, it's nice to be recognized for one's efforts, something the PFWA robbed Watt of on Thursday night.
Disappearing in the back half of the season…yeah I agree…way better player this year.
— Steelers Network (@SteelersNetwork) February 9, 2024
You're a fool. Garrett had 1 sack in last 7 games.
— SteelerNation (@steelernation) February 9, 2024
So we blaming watt because teams don’t double team him or his pass rush win rate isn’t as high? Have shame. HE CLEARS IN EVERY STAT AND THE STEELERS ARE 1-11 WITHOUT HIM !!!!
— Tyler Lovejoy (@TylerL349) February 9, 2024
Every category TJ won in bro. You don't think TJ gets double teamed? How often did TJ get to play with a lead? The Steelers ONLY won because they forced turnovers and TJ cleared everyone in that category as well.https://t.co/bFPzeFGADp
— Based Bayesian (@Aliquickk) February 9, 2024
You’re just saying that because you and Myles disappeared last 6 games of the season on some of the best defenses. TJ clears but he called the nfl out so he will never win again
— Donja (@iDonja_) February 9, 2024
There were many more where that came from.
Garrett deserves his praise. He's one of the more elite pass rushers in the NFL and at his best can go toe-to-toe with Watt. Given the fierce nature of the Browns-Steelers rivalry, Watt's snub will only feed into the hatred these two fanbases have for each other.
Parsons gave his take, but it's questionable at best whether it's the correct opinion.