The NFL Defensive Player of the Year award will likely come down to three players, barring injury: Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, and Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt.
Watt leads the league with 16 sacks, while Garrett and Parsons aren’t far behind with 13 and 12.5, respectively.
The trio also ranks top-six in quarterback hits and top-nine in quarterback pressures on the season.
But Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is asking voters to look past the box scores and just at the body of work in their evaluation of who should win the award.
In that way, Stefanski said he believes Garrett should win.
“He’s the best player on the best defense in the league right now,” Stefanski said Monday. “He’s the Defensive Player of the Year. I don’t think it’s close.”
A strong statement of support… https://t.co/5HBKT4XaOL
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 18, 2023
Garrett has been one of the best defensive players in the NFL since the Browns drafted him No. 1 overall in 2017.
He’s tallied at least seven sacks every season, at least 12 sacks since 2020, and is already a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.
Defensive Player of the Year, though, has alluded Garrett so far in his career.
But with the Browns playing at a top level this season, Garrett has proven he is one of the best defensive players in the league right now.
It would likely take a few more sacks to win the award – Garrett doesn’t have a sack since Week 10 – but his play is certainly good enough for him to remain a top contender.
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