Steelers Reporter Strongly Believes An Explosive TJ Watt “Makes Myles Garrett Look Like Anthony Chickillo”

The Pittsburgh Steelers got a much-needed win over the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football. The 26-22 victory wasn't pretty, but a win is a win and it was desperately desired by a fan base that had high hopes entering the 2023 season. The offense, led by Matt Canada in the booth and Kenny Pickett on the field, was pretty bad other than one splash play to George Pickens that led to a touchdown. The defense, on the other hand, found the end zone on two separate occasions and was the main reason the Steelers were able to improve to 1-1.

The duo of TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith was basically unstoppable as both were able to, not just come away with a sack a piece, but a touchdown as well. Watt's scoop and score late in the fourth quarter was the difference-maker and his partner-in-crime on the other side in Highsmith was the one who forced Deshaun Watson to cough up the football.

Highsmith has started the year earning every bit of his four-year, $68 million extension. The Steelers have invested a ton on the two edge rushers, but they are proving to be worth every penny. Watt is right back in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation with four sacks, two forced fumbles and a touchdown in his first two games of the 2023 season.

Pittsburgh has a lot of work to do on the offensive side of the ball and is rather banged up on defense, especially with Cameron Heyward out for up to eight weeks. The reality is, however, as long as Watt and Highsmith remain on the field, the team should be in nearly every game they play. The duo is setting out to make life incredibly difficult for opposing offenses.

There are several fans out there who truly believe Browns defender, Myles Garrett is lightyears better than Watt. The 2021 AP Defensive Player of The Year's brother came to his defense on Monday evening once again.

Steelers' Watt Is Miles Above Garrett In The NFL Defensive Hierarchy

The Steelers did a relatively solid job against Garrett as he only was able to get one tackle and a quarterback hit on Monday. Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette participated in one of his fan chats on Tuesday following the team's win and someone commented about the absurd amount of money teams pay guys using Cleveland and Watson as an example. There was no mention of Garrett, but Fittipaldo brought him up anyway.

"Watt is a first-ballot Hall of Famer if he stopped playing tomorrow. He's in the same class as Aaron Donald. He is the most dominant player at his position in his era. He makes Myles Garrett look like Anthony Chickillo."

It's rather unfair to bring Anthony Chickillo into a conversation with two (likely) future Hall of Famers. Chickillo played with the Steelers for five years from 2015 to 2019 and was not much more than a special teams and role player.

Pittsburgh is extremely lucky to have a guy like Watt as are the Browns to have a star defender like Garrett. Make no mistake, though, Watt is the best of the best in the NFL when it comes to edge rushers. Micah Parsons might want a word, but the numbers don't lie and Watt has been better than Garrett since the two were drafted in the 2017 NFL Draft. Fittipaldo's statement is pretty bold, but it shows just how confident everyone in the Steel City is when it comes to Watt's unfathomable talent.

Do you think that Watt is far ahead of Garrett? Let us know in the comments below!

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