Steelers’ TJ Watt should “apologize” for DPOY snub

Watt finished the 2023 season with more sacks (19 to 14) and tackles (68 to 42), while Garrett generated more pressures (79 to 70) and led the NFL’s top-rated defense.

Garrett took issue with another star player who commented on his award.

“I’ve never complained about the trophy not being in my house and vice versa,” he said. “He shouldn’t have two ways about it going to me. So I’m just going to play the game, I’m not playing against TJ, he’s not playing against me. But we have a plan to go out and do what we have to , win the game and dominate the defense, but it’s on the line this year and we want to see the best man win.

For his part, Watt didn’t inflame the situation this week, but also didn’t sound like he had any plans to apologize.

“I have respect for everybody in the league. Obviously, he’s a guy who’s been a top pass rusher in the league for a long time,” Watt said via the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. “But I’m not directly competing against him. It’s our team against their team, and at the end of the day, I just want the Pittsburgh Steelers to come out with a win.”

The back-and-forth between the star pass rushers adds some intensity to Thursday’s divisional matchup between the 8-2 Steelers and 2-8 Browns.

“Absolutely,” Garrett said when asked if that adds extra motivation for Thursday night. “Two of the very best in the same division, playing each other twice a year and the fans hate each other. That kind of thing gets you excited and I know we’re both feeling it and getting a little bit pumped for the game.”