The Pittsburgh Steelers hit the jackpot when they spent their first round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft on OLB TJ Watt. The fanbase knew they were getting a good player when the Steelers drafted the Wisconsin standout, but I'm not sure anyone foreshadowed that the team was getting the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate that we have all come to love!
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 08: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts during warm up before a game against the Chicago Bears at Heinz Field on November 08, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The national media loves to try to compare Watt to other dynamic defensive players in the league, but is there really a comparison to be made? Watt, currently the reigning NFL DPOY, only has one of the awards in his five NFL seasons. However, one could argue that he should be a 2-time or 3-time winner of the award. Watt doesn't care about the individual accolades, though, he just wants Super Bowls. That's the thing that makes him a different breed of superstar in today's NFL. He's as selfless as they come. During an interview with Missi Matthews of Steelers.com, at the end of last month, Watt said:
"There’s really the only one goal right now. I’m not a big individual goal guy. I don’t have X amount of sacks, X amount of TFL’s [tackles for a loss],” Watt continued. “It truly is be a game wrecker and win a Super Bowl. That’s really all there is to it at this point."
The national media may have somewhat of an argument when they compare Los Angeles Rams' superstar Aaron Donald to Watt, but the one player that is always compared to him that there is absolutely no comparison to make at all is Cleveland Browns DE, Myles Garrett.
Most of us laughed when Tennessee Titans' tackle Taylor Lewan said that he preferred to face Watt compared to facing Garrett.
“I’d rather go against TJ than Myles…from a pass standpoint.”
There is just NO comparison between the two...
Watt leads Garrett in every major defensive statistical category. People like to make the "games played" argument when comparing the two defensive playmakers' stats, but availability is the best ability. It's as simple as that. It's not like Watt came into the league years before Garrett. They were both drafted in 2017. One just happened to be drafted 1st overall by the Browns, while the other, thankfully, fell to the Steelers all the way to 30th overall.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, TJ Watt (#90) participates in the organized team activities (OTA's), Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. | Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
I'm sure Watt doesn't care about the comparisons and he's one to let his play do the talking and that it does. Look at any statistical category that you want. Pick any of them, Watt beats out Garrett in every aspect of the game.
Watt feels like his best football is ahead of him in 2022 and that has to be absolutely terrifying for opposing offenses.
“No. This is flying by absolutely. It’s insane how quickly it’s gone by. I still feel great. I feel like my best football is ahead of me so, I’m very excited for this season,” Watt said. “[I] Just continue to work. There’s so many areas where I feel like I can improve just in the weight room, all off-season, when I’m here, just finding little details to continue to work on. I’m not satisfied, I’m really not. I think this group can be really successful and when we’re all clicking, I think that is what this time of year is all about.”
Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
It's not even biased, just facts, there's no other NFL defensive superstar that I'd rather have leading the way for the Pittsburgh Steelers!
What do yinz think? Is there any kind of comparison between TJ Watt and Myles Garrett? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
#SteelerNation
