I think everyone can agree that there has been heavy favoritism towards quarterbacks when it comes to the MVP award. Over the years, there have been plenty of non-QBs that have undoubtedly deserved the award, however, it has consistently gone to a signal caller. Browns’ defensive end Myles Garrett has had enough of this nonsense.
Garrett went on the Rich Eisen Show on Friday and expressed his frustrations towards MVP voters.
“It’s a load of crap,” Garrett said. “And I think the last time (a defender) should’ve won the MVP would be J.J. Watt with the outstanding year he had in 2012. That was easily his award.”
No doubt Watt deserved at least one between 2012-2014. 2012 saw the Texans’ monster pass rusher put up 20.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, a career-high 39 tackles for loss and 43 QB hits. However, 2014 was even more impressive.
Here’s what Watt did that year:
- Matched his 2012 sack total (20.5)
- 29 tackles for loss
- Four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, one fumble recovery TD
- 10 passes defended
- Had an 80-yard pick-six
- One forced safety
- One blocked kick
- Three targets, three receptions, three touchdowns
- Unanimous DPOY
Aaron Rodgers took home the MVP award that year, with Watt in second place. Rodgers had 4,381 yards, 38 touchdowns and six picks with a 65.6 completion percentage. Really good numbers, but nothing special compared to Watt’s historic year.
Former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was the last non-quarterback to be named NFL MVP in 2012. A defender hasn’t won the award since Lawrence Taylor in 1986.
“ We have an Offensive Player of the Year award, ” Garrett added . “ So if you want to give the best offensive player an award, we have that handled. But the best player, the one who’s most respected, most feared, and makes the most game-changing plays, shouldn’t just go to a quarterback or wide receiver. It should go to the guy who’s been game-planned all week, who has to be respected, who you’re avoiding and when that time comes, he makes that play .”
Garrett may be referring to himself here but who could blame him? The former 2017 No. 1 draft pick already has 82 career sacks at age 27 and has been wrecking games this season.
Garrett, who’s earned four career Pro Bowl berths and a pair of first-team All-Pro nods, racked up nine tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass breakup and a blocked field goal in Week 7 to help the Browns edge the Indianapolis Colts 39-38. It was one of the best performances of his career.
Garrett has had 16 sacks the past two seasons and is already up to 7.5 this year. He also has 16 quarterback hits and a league-high three forced fumbles. Garrett tops the NFL in pass rush win rate among players with at least 140 snaps as a pass-rusher, according to PFF.
He even easily won in his matchups against 49ers left tackle Trent Williams , the best player in the NFL. Garrett won 31 percent of his pass-rushing snaps vs Williams in Week 6–the highest percentage given up by Williams in his entire career.
The Browns’ defense is off to a red-hot start, leading the NFL in total yards and passing yards allowed per game so far in 2023. Garrett is no doubt a huge part of their success.
***
Subscribe to Vendetta’s Twitch
Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube
Check out the Vendetta Shop
Click here for more NFL content
