Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett took home the 2023 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award earlier this month.

Garrett received 165 vote points for the honor, and overall, he garnered 23 first-place votes. Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt hauled in 19 first-place votes, as he came up just short of winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year honor for the second time in his career.

Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson took a bit of exception with Garrett winning this year's NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. Peterson believes that multiple voters for the honor took into account the fact that Garrett featured on a Browns defense that was statistically better on paper than the Steelers.

"That's my thing, that should not be playing a part," Peterson said on the "All Things Covered" podcast. "If we're talking about best defensive player, what did this guy doing to make a difference in a game. And not to knock anything off Myles Garrett, he had an unbelievable year, but towards the end of the year, you really didn't hear about Myles Garrett no more.

"… I hate the fact that it's always trending in that direction, team who got the better support. No, it's the best defensive player."

Peterson added that there was "no doubt" that Watt had a more potent year than Garrett, especially since in both contests between the Steelers and the Browns in the regular season, "T.J. outplayed him."

Watt did have his way against the Browns this past year; he combined for seven quarterback hits, 2.0 sacks, and one defensive touchdown over both regular season meetings. Garrett, on the other hand, tallied four quarterback hits and 2.0 sacks against the Steelers.

Watt logged 13 more quarterback pressures and 5.0 more sacks than Garrett did in the regular season. It was all ultimately not enough to convince multiple voters that he was indeed the best defensive player in the 2023 season.

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Bold take.