Myles Garrett just gave a glowing contract endorsement to an All-Pro edge rusher looking for a lucrative extension, but it wasn't for T.J. Watt. As the Pittsburgh Steelers star anxiously awaits a new deal that could make him the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL, Garrett is showing his support for Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons.
Garrett made it crystal clear that Parsons deserves every cent coming his way in his eventual payday.
"I think he deserves whatever he's earned," Garrett told Abby Jones of DLLS Sports. "I mean, the guy is special. Once I got the chance to train with him, I've seen his work ethic, I've seen how he attacks the weights, running. He's 100% committed to his craft and getting better every day, and [he's] someone who produces on the field and has that dedication to the game. He should get every penny he's owed."
To be fair, Garrett was asked specifically about Parsons. But had the question been directed toward Watt, would he have given a similar response?
Myles Garrett made it clear that he doesn't think Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt is on his level
Garrett and Parsons have both been vocal about what separates elite pass rushers from the pack. While these All-Pros admit that Watt is a tremendous football player, Parsons believes Watt isn't in the same category as he and Garrett. Meanwhile, Garrett made it clear that he believes there is no contest between him and Watt after the Browns star put up a monstrous showing on Thursday Night Football in November.
Garrett isn't oblivious to the rivalry between himself and Watt. The two edge rushers entered the NFL together in 2017, but Watt has been outpacing him in most statistical categories over the past eight years. While both players seem destined for the Hall of Fame, it's not surprising to see Garrett have a harder time praising Watt like he does Parsons.
In addition to constantly being compared to each other, Watt and Garrett are heated AFC North rivals, giving both players further reason to limit the kind words toward one another.
The absence of a contract endorsement for T.J. Watt from Myles Garrett doesn't mean that the Browns star doesn't want his rival to get paid. At the end of the day, the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to fork up to keep their superstar happy, regardless of what the NFL's highest-paid defensive player has to say.