Lately, we've seen several outlets posting different rankings for their top players at each position. Of course, one of the hotter topics, even, is the annual NFL Top 100 that's in process as we speak. But, for Pittsburgh Steelers fans, one of the more irritating stories might be one that just popped up courtesy of a fellow Pro Bowl pass rusher.
On one of the latest episodes of a podcast featuring former New England Patriots wide receiver, Julian Edelman, the 3-time Super Bowl champion sat down with New Orleans Saints legend, Cameron Jordan.
In one of their segments on "Games with Names," Jordan spoke on the idea that sacks are overrated, in his opinion, and that there are other things we should be looking at when it comes to crowning an NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
"I think a sack is an overrated stat ... winning the game is the most important.
"We look at it like, 'oh he's the best because he had 19 or 20 or 22 sacks, but he's not worth a damn in the run. But we don't talk about it. He's the DPOY but he's a liability on the outside zone stretch plays. He's the best, but he swims B gaps and C gaps."
Cameron Jordan might have called out T.J. Watt and his fellow recent DPOY winners
First and foremost, Jordan's words are quite bold. In this take, you could argue that he is calling out the likes of Myles Garrett (2023 and 2025 winner), Nick Bosa (2022 winner), and T.J. Watt (2021 winner). You have to go all the way back to 2016 for the next pass rusher to win the award, which was Khalil Mack.
Let's look at Watt's 2021 season, shall we?
That season, he earned a positive grade of 70.1 in the run defense department, courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Out of 15 games played that season, Watt ended up with a grade lower than 60.0, which would be considered either average or poor.
Now, let's look at total "stops," which are plays that are stopped on defense and considered a "failure" for the offense; i.e. run plays that go nowhere.
In 16 games that year, Jordan had 43 stops.
In 15 games, Watt had 42.
I would venture to guess Jordan is considering himself a "complete" player and one who plays well against the run, based on these comments.
And, based on the stats that year, Watt averaged more stops per game.
These are just the facts, people. You can't argue with 'em.
Now, there are separate arguments to be made for Garrett or Bosa, if either of those guys are the ones Jordan might be alluding to instead. This is not saying Jordan is undoubtedly nitpicking Watt.
But he did not name names, and Watt is a recent DPOY winner. So, he is certainly in the conversation by default.
Jordan is well-respected around the league and has been a great player for years now. But one can't help but wonder who he's really pointing at with these comments.
If it is Watt, then this is as misguided a take as you can possibly get.
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