It's becoming a common occurrence over the past two offseasons—T.J. Watt once again finds himself getting outpaced by Myles Garrett in the latest rankings. But this time, it's not a list of the best edge rushers entering the 2025 season; it's a list of the 25 best players over the past quarter century in the NFL. And Pittsburgh Steelers fans won't be happy about this.
Recently, Bill Barnwell and Greg Rosenthal wrapped up their countdown of 25 Players in 25 Years, which ranks the best players to see the football field since 2000. Watt earned the 23rd spot on the list, only to be outdone by Garrett.
NFL Daily’s Top 25 Players of the Last 25 Years 🏈 pic.twitter.com/uJnxHHEtHy
— NFL Podcasts (@NFL_Podcasts) July 14, 2025
Making the list in any facet is nothing to scoff at. To be considered among the 25 best players in arguably the best quarter century of football ever is quite the accomplishment, and it's something that not even the legendary Troy Polamalu got to enjoy (which is a whole argument in itself).
Watt narrowly cranked the list with the No. 23 spot and beat out Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens and future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce. However, the All-Pro edge rusher and 2021 Defensive Player of the Year continues to play second fiddle to Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett, who came in at No. 20.
The latest rankings will only fuel Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns fans in the T.J. Watt vs. Myles Garrett debate
T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett entered the NFL on the same day. Both players were first-round picks in the 2017 NFL Draft, and comparisons have been drawn between the impressive edge rushers ever since. Over the past two seasons, most advanced stats (including pressures and pass rush win rate) would argue that Garrett has been the better player, and many analysts tend to agree.
Garrett and Watt have been impressive in different ways throughout their legendary NFL careers. While Garrett is visibly better at taking on double teams and routinely generating quick pressure on the quarterback, Watt has been the more consistent run defender and better splash playmaker throughout his career.
In 2024, Watt was the runaway favorite for the Defensive Player of the Year award for most of the season, but a quiet finish to the year saw his DPOY odds plummet. The award ultimately went to Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II. And just like when he finished second to Garrett in DPOY voting in 2023, Watt fell behind Garrett in DPOY voting last year.
Now there's the whole contract fiasco going on between Watt and the Steelers. The future Hall of Famer wants to be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, and Pittsburgh's front office is understandably reluctant to cave to his steep contract demands.
There's still time for Watt to change the narrative and win back doubting NFL analysts, but Garrett is a bit younger and has had the better sample of play more recently. This is just the latest example of T.J. Watt standing in the shadows of Myles Garrett once again.