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J.J. Watt Gets Honest on Defensive Player of the Year Controversy

Former Arizona Cardinals DE J.J. Watt took a neutral stance when talking about the award.

Donnie Druin

J.J. Watt Gets Honest on Defensive Player of the Year Controversy
J.J. Watt Gets Honest on Defensive Player of the Year Controversy /
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ARIZONA -- Very few people have won the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award as many times as former Arizona Cardinals DE J.J. Watt. 

Watt has taken the award home three times - which is only matched by legends such as Aaron Donald and Lawrence Taylor in NFL history.

So - needless to say Watt himself knows what it takes to win the award - and so too does younger brother and Pittsburgh Steelers OLB T.J. Watt, who has won the award already back in 2021. 

Yesterday, Cleveland Browns EDGE Myles Garrett took home the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, edging Watt out despite the Steelers linebacker leading the NFL in sacks for the third time in his career, something that's never been done before in league history. 

After Watt out-did Garrett in most major statistical categories, plenty of people were outraged that Watt lost the award. 

Older brother J.J. was often asked by fans on Twitter/X his thoughts on the outcome, and after reposting some pro-T.J. numbers, he finally let the cat out of the bag and took a neutral stance:

"Everybody is asking for my opinion on DPOY. I get it. The problem is I have no interest in tearing down MG. Myles is a phenomenal player, I’m a big fan and he’s had an incredible career so far. I can acknowledge that while also wondering what more TJ could have possibly done."

The award is annually given by the Associated Press. 

Utilizing a first, second and third place system, here's how the voting finished:

Myles Garrett, Cleveland, 23-13-11=165

T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh, 19-11-12=140

Micah Parsons, Dallas, 7-16-6=89

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Donnie Druin
DONNIE DRUIN

Donnie Druin is the Publisher for All Cardinals and Inside The Suns. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with Fan Nation since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!