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Myles Garrett hasn't forgotten Steelers' T.J. Watt's post on Defensive Player of the Year
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- Myles Garrett hasn't forgotten Steelers' T.J. Watt's post on Defensive Player of the Year
BEREA — Five words on T.J. Watt's X feed in February haven't been forgotten by the person those words were perceived to be targeted towards.
"Nothing I'm not used to," the Pittsburgh Steelers star edge rusher posted on X on Feb. 8 , before the NFL Honors ceremony where Browns defensive end Myles Garrett won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
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Garrett beat out Watt for the award by a 165-140 margin. That was despite the Steelers star having a league-high 19 sacks to the Browns ' star having 14.
"I've never complained about the trophy not being at my house and vice versa," Garrett said. "He shouldn't be feeling two ways about knowing it's going to me. So just going to play the game. I don't play against T.J., he doesn't play against me. We'll have a plan to go out and do what we're supposed to, win the game and dominate on defense. It's up for grabs this year, and we'll see the best man win."
Watt won the award in 2021. Last year marked the first time Garrett had won the award, and only the second time he had even received votes.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett on the red carpet before the NFL Honors show, Feb. 8, 2024, in Las Vegas.
Watt, who didn't attend the awards ceremony, was asked that same week about the post.
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"People were seeing I wasn't there," Watt said to SB Nation's J.P. Acosta . "I wanted to let them know why I wasn't there. It was a situation where it's something I'm truly used to at this point. Just use as motivation at this point."
As for the number of words Watt has said to Garrett about the post since it happened, that would be zero.
"No, he didn't say nothing to me," Garrett said Tuesday. "He's going to have to apologize when I see him."
It just so happens, the two of them will be on the same field on Thursday when Watt's Steelers travel to Cleveland to meet Garrett's Browns.
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Watt was asked about Garrett's comments on Tuesday by Pittsburgh reporters.
"I have respect for everybody in the league. Obviously, he's a guy who has been a top pass rusher in the league for a long time," Watt said. "But I don't compete directly against him. It's our team versus their team, and at the end of the day, I just want the Pittsburgh Steelers to come out with a win."
Whether or not the post actually comes up in any conversation between two of the NFL's premier pass rushers is debatable. What's clear is that it hasn't been forgotten even months later by the one who's award win led to the post.
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) releases the ball as he is hit by Browns defensive end Myles Garrett during the second quarter, Jan. 8, 2023, in Pittsburgh.
Garrett was asked to describe his relationship with the Steelers star.
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"I mean, I wouldn't say we're friends," Garrett said. "I would say we're friendly and have a respect for him and his brother. They've both been great figures and advocates for this game. It doesn't really change anything, but we'll see what happens on Thursday."
Watt has 7.5 sacks this season, tied for seventh in the league, while Garrett is tied for 12th with seven. Both are chasing another AFC North pass rusher, as the Cincinnati Bengals ' Trey Hendrickson currently has a league-high 11.5.
Watt does currently lead the league with four forced fumbles, compared with two for Garrett. Garrett does have the field goal block against the Philadelphia Eagles that safety Rodney McLeod returned for a touchdown.
The two 2017 first-round draft picks each have five All-Pro honors in their careers. Watt has played in 114 games to Garrett's 110, and has 104 career sacks to Garrett's 95.5.
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Both star edge rushers have played in 12 games against the other side in the Browns-Steelers rivalry. Pittsburgh is 9-2-1 against Cleveland when Watt plays, while the Browns are 4-7-1 against the Steelers when Garrett plays.
When both players play in the game, the Steelers are 7-2-1. They have both played in each of the last three meetings between the rivals, with Pittsburgh winning two of the three.
Watt has 17 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, 31 quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries, one interception and a fumble return for a touchdown against Cleveland. Garrett has nine sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 19 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles — including two strip sacks — against Pittsburgh.
(This story has been updated with new information.)
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Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Myles Garrett responds to Steeler star T.J. Watt's NFL DPOY post
