Steelers All-Pro continues to be overshadowed by AFC North foe
The NFL is often termed a "what have you done for me lately" kind of league. Something Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin knows all to well. But at some point, there has to be an end to the recent bias that plagues rankings and surveys. That may have to wait, however, as one star […]
The NFL is often termed a "what have you done for me lately" kind of league. Something Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin knows all to well.
But at some point, there has to be an end to the recent bias that plagues rankings and surveys.
That may have to wait, however, as one star Steeler seemingly get's forgotten about:
T.J. Watt
Somehow, someway, T.J. Watt continues to be placed behind Myles Garrett when it comes to rankings:
Now, I could make the case that outside of Bosa, both Parsons and Garrett have no business being ahead of Watt, but the notion that Garrett is a better pass rusher than Watt has been going on for some time and goes much further than Madden rankings.
Even NFL personnel saw it the same way this year, with a top-four group of edge rushers that mirrored the Madden rankings when polled by ESPN's Jeremey Fowler, only adding to the propaganda.
Let's compare resumes, shall we:
| T.J. Watt | Myles Garrett |
|---|---|
Sacks: 77.5 | Sacks: 74.5 |
Turnovers forced: 29 | Turnovers forced: 13 |
Pro Bowls: 5 | Pro Bowls: 4 |
All Pro(s): 3 | All Pro(s): 2 |
DPOY: 1 | DPOY: 0 |
Pro Football Reference
Oh, and they both were drafted in 2017 with Watt playing in only three more games than Garrett.
So as you can see, this debate shouldn't even be a topic of discussion, making the conjecture around these rankings even more head-scratching.
And please, let's not talk about who had more around them. Sure Watt has been fortunate enough to play with Cam Heyward, but Myles Garrett lined up with fellow first-overall pick Jadevon Clowney for two years and has had a stud interior lineman as well.
So maybe it's because Watt is coming off an injury, or maybe it's that he plays for the Steelers. But the numbers, the accolades, and the down-to-down presence on film all say something else.
Watt is concerned with something bigger though and that's the stairway to seven championships in Pittsburgh.
Maybe then he will get the respect he deserves.
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett has a question that must be answered in 2023
We’ll find out one way or another this season
Featured image via: © Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
