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Micah Parsons defends Myles Garrett being named 2023 Defensive Player of the Year

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery02/08/24
micah-parsons-defends-myles-garrett-being-named-2023-defensive-player-of-the-year
Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK

The 2024 NFL Honors ceremony has been dishing out the hardware on Thursday night. And when hardware is dished out, there’s always going to be some people upset that their guy didn’t win the award. Myles Garrett won the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. And apparently that didn’t sit well with Jersey Jerry of Barstool Sports, who claimed the award was “rigged.” Micah Parsons came across the tweet and immediately came to Myles Garrett’s defense.

Myles Garrett wins 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

One of the more highly contested NFL awards of recent years has been Defensive Player of the Year. Five finalists had the opportunity to win in 2023 — DaRon BlandMaxx CrosbyMyles GarrettMicah Parsons, and T.J. Watt.

The winner was announced on Thursday night from Las Vegas, with Garrett taking home the award. It’s his first time to be named Defensive Player of the Year, just adding to the impressive list of accolades on the resume.

With how important rushing the passer is, it’s no surprise to see them get the most love during award season. Ultimately, Garrett won out, and for a very good reason.

Garrett was named first-team All-Pro after his 2023 season. He had 14.0 sacks and was back in the double-digits — for the sixth season in a row — when discussing tackles for a loss. The Cleveland Browns product had 17 TFLs, falling one short of his career high.

Watt has been on the stage before to accept the DPOY Award and continued to be one of the NFL’s best players. His 19 sacks led the league, an accomplishment Watt has pulled off in three out of the last four seasons. Nick Bosa had the honor in 2022 but Watt missed significant time due to an injury.

As for Crosby, he is just as good off the EDGE in run support as he is trying to get to the quarterback. Las Vegas fired Josh McDaniels in the middle of the season, elevating Antonio Pierce to interim head coach. Crosby’s success — 14.5 sacks, 23 TFLs, and 90 tackles — produces results for the Raiders and got Pierce the full-time job.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh also contributed to this article.