Steelers' TJ Watt Displays Unparalleled Leadership Compared To Browns' Myles Garrett's "Weird Stuff"

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense is the most expensive in the NFL heading into the 2024 season. A big part of that comes from the big contracts that some of their superstar players have. That includes the four-year, roughly $112 million extension contract that edge rusher TJ Watt signed in 2021.

Pittsburgh also made its biggest free agency signing in team history this offseason, bringing Patrick Queen on board with a three-year $41 million deal. Queen's acquisition should fix the team's Achilles heel for the past several years: the middle linebacker position. Despite the weak areas and the injuries they sustained in 2023, the Steelers' defense remained more successful than their offense. 

Many feel that is partly due to how the defensive unit hands down knowledge from generation to generation. The players there now learned the "Steelers Way" from the ones who came before them. Now, they are passing on that knowledge. Former NFL offensive guard Justin Pugh discussed Pittsburgh's defense on his podcast, NetWorth, with Justin Pugh.  

Even before Watt lost the 2023 NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year Award to the Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett, the question of who is the best often arises. Pugh was asked which of the two AFC North rivals is the best defensive leader.

"Myles Garrett is a pretty strange cat," said Pugh. "He's into all sorts of weird stuff. I don't know how much he loves football, but I think he was put on Earth to be a defensive end, so, like, pure just on the field playing football dominating? Myles Garrett all day long. But leaders? Steelers have some leaders on that d-line. I mean I might take Watt over him in leadership, and Cam Heyward in leadership. Rally the troops. Get team playing more like a team, not just one-offs."

Pugh doesn't elaborate on what "weird stuff" Garrett is into unless he means clobbering NFL quarterbacks with his helmet. It is not a secret that Garrett has interests other than football; he loves Halloween, dinosaurs, and plays Dungeons and Dragons. He also writes poetry, loves classic rock, and soul music. While some of those interests might not be common ones associated with most "jocks," they are hardly weird. 

Garrett is a force on the field; there is no disputing that, but so is Watt. In a side-by-side comparison of stats from the 2023 regular season, Watt beat Garrett in almost every major category. Regardless, it is hard to compare the two apples-to-apples, and it's more than just the fact that they play slightly different positions. 

The Steelers run a 3-4 defensive system, and the Browns run a 4-3 system. Garrett has also been playing on what is the best defense in the NFL statistically, while Watt played on a team riddled with injuries. All of it can be true: Watt and Garrett can both be generational talents, and they can both be future Hall of Famers. However, according to Pugh, Watt has a bigger impact on his team. This season, with the upgraded roster, Watt's influence should have a tremendous impact, pulling the group together to work as a cohesive unit. 

Steelers' Rookies Getting A Taste Of TJ Watt

The Steelers' training camp is in full swing, and the rookies are getting a chance to face some tried-and-true veterans. That includes rookie Troy Fautanu, who has lined up at right tackle, having to match up with Watt at times. Fautanu apparently had his hands full, but held his own. 

This immediately recalls one of Head Coach Mike Tomlin's favorite sayings, "Iron sharpens iron." Having Fautanu face a player of Watt's caliber will only help him develop even faster, preparing him to face opponents during the regular season. 

Who do you think is the better defensive leader: Watt or Garrett? Click to comment below.

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