Micah Parsons Defends Myles Garrett as DPOY With Classy Reply to Angry Fan

The Cleveland Browns defensive end’s dominance can’t be explained only by statistics, says the Dallas Cowboys star.

Micah Parsons didn’t win the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award on Thursday night at NFL Honors. The Dallas Cowboys linebacker finished third in voting behind T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the winner, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. 

Some NFL fans weren’t happy with the results. One in particular lined up the stats of the three finalists side-by-side in a graphic on social media to show that Watt and Parsons surpassed Garrett in several categories, such as tackles, sacks and quarterback pressures.

Yet Parsons, who is very much online, quickly disputed the notion that Garrett was an undeserving winner. In his view, the statistics don’t provide a full explanation.

“Myles faced way more double teams and affect on QBs,” Parsons wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Fans, please stop looking at stats and look at film, please!!” 

Horrible take!! Myles was the better player!! Reality of the situation ! Myles Faced way more double teams and affect on qbs! Fans please stop looking at stats and look at film please!! https://t.co/neF8LwtfKk

— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) February 9, 2024

That was a gracious evaluation of Garrett’s performance this season. Parsons’s defense of his colleague presumably echoes that of many other players who understand that numbers don’t always detail everything that happens on the field. 

How often did Garrett face multiple blockers? How often did an opposing quarterback throw sooner than he wanted to or have to choose a different target because of Garrett’s pursuit? What about the shoulder injury that Garrett played through during the season?

The Browns’ defense allowed the fewest yards in the NFL this season. That may have factored in Garrett’s winning the award as well. Would Cleveland’s defense have been nearly as effective without an overpowering presence such as Garrett?

According to Parsons, NFL players know the answer to such questions.