Exclusive on Browns: Browns Star Myles Garrett Draws 5-Word Message From Steelers’ TJ Watt
Pittsburgh Steelers star TJ Watt wasn’t too happy about losing the Defensive Player of the Year award to Cleveland Browns wide receiver Myles Garrett.
Garrett earned his first DPOY honor after edging out Watt 165-140 in Thursday night’s voting. The Browns power forward received 23 of the 50 first-place votes, while Watt received 19.
Watt was not in attendance but left a powerful message on social media after the award was announced. “There’s nothing I haven’t learned,” Watt said.
Watt won the award in 2021 and has been a finalist several times. He sued for the second honor. Watt recorded an NFL-best 19 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception. Watt disagreed, but Dallas Cowboys quarterback Micah Parsons (another finalist) endorsed Garrett as the winner. Parsons called the vote on Twitter “excruciating.”
“Horrible post! Miles was the best player of all time! Parsons tweeted. “The truth of the matter!” Miles faced twice as many teams at QB and [effectively]! “Fans, don’t look at the stats, watch the film!”
Browns star Myles Garrett promises “big things” next year
Garrett continued to be a presence this season despite missing the second half of the season with a shoulder injury. He recorded 30 quarterback hits, 14 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. While accepting the award, Garrett promised “bigger” things next season, suggesting the Super Bowl is his goal.
“To the city of Cleveland, this one’s for you,” Garrett said. “Next time I’ll take a bigger one home.”
Garrett led the Browns’ defensive rotation. Cleveland’s defense was solid under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who won Assistant Coach of the Year honors. The Browns ranked first in the league in total defense, allowing just 270.2 yards per game.
However, the postseason performance was not good. The Houston Texans defeated the Browns en route to a 45-14 victory. Garrett was in control, recording just two tackles and no sacks. “We won,” Garrett said after the loss. “We were trained and left unmanned and unarmed. … The game is not far away. It was all about death,” Garrett continued. “Defensively we could have done a lot better.”
Brown’s leadership shines through for Myles Garrett after the win.
Brown executives were ecstatic after Garrett was announced as the winner. Browns general manager Andrew Berry expects Garrett to have more hardware as his career progresses. “I hope this is the first of many,” Berry said in a statement. “We are proud of him. We see how hard he works every day. He represents the city and our franchise at a very high level. It’s not just what he does on the field, it’s what he does off the field as well. “He’s clearly a dominant presence in the league and we’re proud.”
Garrett also received praise from teammates, including Kansas City star Travis Kelce. “I’m glad I don’t have to compete with him this year,” Kelce said at Super Bowl media day. “He’s been really good and I think he’s found his place in the NFL. I couldn’t be happier that the city of Cleveland has a guy like that because he’s part of the community and he’s making a difference and for the right reasons.” .”
One of the Browns’ priorities this offseason will be finding a pass-rushing partner for Garrett. Za’Darius Smith becomes a free agent after 16 games.
