CLEVELAND — In a thrilling matchup on Thursday night, Myles Garrett showcased his skills, validating his title as the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year against T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Cleveland defensive star delivered an impressive performance, notching three sacks, one of which was a strip sack against Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, helping the Browns secure a 10-3 lead at halftime.

As Garrett wrapped up the first half with his third sack, teammate Ogbo Okoronkwo playfully crowned Garrett by mimicking the act of placing a crown on his helmet.

This display mirrored many dominant performances from Garrett during the previous season when he was named the league’s top defensive player, surpassing Watt, the edge rusher for Pittsburgh who had a higher sack count but expressed discontent with finishing second in the voting. Watt, who claimed the award in 2021, appeared to be displeased with the results.

On the evening Garrett was awarded the honor, Watt took to social media stating, “Nothing I’m not used to,” drawing considerable attention with 5.5 million views on the post.

In response to Watt’s comments made earlier this week, Garrett remarked, “I’ve never complained about the trophy not being at my house and vice versa,” emphasizing his focus on the game rather than petty rivalries.

Fans were treated to an exciting defensive showcase, highlighting both players’ abilities and the competitive spirit that resides within the league.