Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt are bringing new meaning to the grudge match between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, making it clear there is no love lost between the NFL’s premier pass rushers.
Garrett turned up the temperature before Thursday night’s game between the AFC North foes at Huntington Bank Field, sounding like he’s still smarting over perceived disrespect from Watt toward winning the 2023 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award.
Garrett said he hasn’t spoken to Watt since the Steelers outside linebacker skipped the NFL Honors Show when he finished second to the Browns edge rusher in AP voting and posted “nothing I’m not used to” on a social media platform.
“No, he didn’t say nothing to me,” Garrett said Tuesday, per Cleveland.com. “He’s going to have to apologize when I see him.”
Watt finished with superior statistics to Garrett in almost every defensive category last season. Watt had more sacks (19-14), tackles (68-42), passes defensed (eight to three) and fumble recoveries (three to one) while both had four forced fumbles. Garrett had better pressure and pass-rush win rates, and the Browns led the NFL in total defense.
Yet it marked the third time that Watt, the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year winner, has finished in the top three in the voting without taking home the award. He also finished second to defensive tackle Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams in ’20 and third to cornerback Stephon Gilmore of the New England Patriots in ’19.
“I’ve never complained about the trophy being at my house, and vice versa. He shouldn’t be feeling two ways about it going to me,” Garrett told Cleveland reporters. “We’re just going to play the game. I don’t play against T.J.; he don’t play against me. We’ll plan to go out and do what we’re supposed to, win the game and dominate on defense. It’s up for grabs this year. We’ll see the best man win.”
#Browns Myles Garrett on #Steelers T.J. Watt’s negative reax on X last year when Garrett won #NFL Defensive Player of the Year: pic.twitter.com/kp1UufKUAF
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 19, 2024
The Steelers hold a 7-2-1 edge over the Browns when both Garrett and Watt are in the lineup. Although both have been disruptive forces, Watt holds a statistical edge: In 12 games against Cleveland, Watt has 64 tackles (45 solo), 17 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, 31 quarterback hits, with two fumble recoveries and an interception. In 12 games against the Steelers, Garrett has 36 tackles (26 solo), nine sacks — including two that forced fumbles — 10 tackles for loss, 19 quarterback hits and three forced fumbles.
“I wouldn’t say we’re friends. I’d say we’re friendly,” Garrett said. “I have great respect for him and his brother (J.J.). They’ve both been great figures and advocates for this game. It doesn’t really change anything, but we’ll see what happens on Thursday.”
Watt also holds a slight edge in total sacks since 2018, when Garrett was drafted first overall by the Browns. In that span, Watt has 97 sacks to Garrett’s 95 1/2. (Counting his seven sacks as a rookie, Watt has 104 career sacks). Asked about Garrett — but not directly about his comments — Watt responded as expected by focusing on the bigger picture.
TJ Watt on Myles Garrett pic.twitter.com/lPKqRSDCUe
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) November 19, 2024
“I have respect for everybody in this league,” Watt said. “Obviously, he’s a guy who’s been a top pass rusher in this league for a long time. But I don’t compete directly against him. It’s our team versus their team, and I just want the Pittsburgh Steelers to come out with a win.”
Watt isn’t likely to say he’s sorry, given the history of bad blood in the past between Garrett and the Steelers. In the closing seconds of Cleveland’s 21-7 win in a Thursday night game in November 2019, Garrett ripped the helmet off Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and smashed him over the head with it. Garrett claimed Rudolph used a slur to provoke him, which Rudolph strongly denied. The NFL suspended Garrett indefinitely, which ultimately amounted to six games.
The Steelers showed the utmost respect for Garrett in talking about their preparation for the Browns with a short turnaround. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called the 6-foot-4, 272-pound end a “game-wrecker,” adding that Garrett will command the attention of multiple blockers.
“I don’t know that we view that as a one-on-one matchup, to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin said. “And it’s no slight against (Steelers left tackle) Dan Moore. It’s just the talent level of Myles Garrett. I think you identify any tackle and match him up with Myles Garrett, it’s not possible that he’s going to get home. It’s probable, particularly if it’s in a one-dimensional circumstance.”
And Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson will keep his head on a swivel, knowing that Garrett is coming into the game with a chip on his broad shoulders and a point to prove.
“He’s a tremendous football player. He can do everything great, at the highest level,” Wilson said. “We’ve got to do a great job slowing him down just because he’s such a great player. You have to know where he is at all times and understand how terrific of a player he is.”
Kevin Gorman is a TribLive reporter covering the Pirates. A Baldwin native and Penn State graduate, he joined the Trib in 1999 and has covered high school sports, Pitt football and basketball and was a sports columnist for 10 years. He can be reached at [email protected].
