Steelers’ T.J. Watt Snubbed From Elite Club Once Again

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt fell short of being listed among the best players in the league once again.

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt was just made the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, but some still don’t believe he’s among the top talent in the NFL.

Watt is not among the seven players with a 99 overall rating in Madden 26, and another edge rusher is on the list in Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett.

Players with a 99 overall rating in Madden 26:

Saquon Barkley
Lamar Jackson
Josh Allen
Justin Jefferson
Ja’Marr Chase
Myles Garrett
Lane Johnson pic.twitter.com/C2ripGSnIm

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 28, 2025

It’s a bit ironic since Watt just surpassed Garrett, who also received a new deal this offseason. However, Watt is coming off the least-productive full season of his NFL career with 61 tackles, 11.5 sacks and four passes defensed.

Garrett, on the other hand, racked up 47 tackles, 14 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass defensed.

Still, Watt is more than deserving of being a part of Madden’s 99 club, a group he has yet to make heading into the ninth season of his NFL career.

This should only add to the two players’ rivalry on and off the field, too. When Watt found out that Garrett was going to win the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, he skipped the ceremony entirely. That didn’t sit right with Garrett.

“I’ve never complained about the trophy not being in my house, and vice versa, he shouldn’t be feeling two ways about it going to me,” Garrett said. “We’re just gonna play the game. I don’t play against T.J. He doesn’t play against me. We’re playing to do what we’re supposed to, go out and do what we’re supposed to, win the game and dominate on defense.”

Then following the Browns’ 24-19 win over the Steelers in Week 12 of last season, Garrett made sure to sink the knife in deeper.

“I have a lot of respect for him … but I’m number 1. That’s from Edge 1 to Defensive Player of the Year. I’m the guy. That runs through me,” Garrett said. “There’s no other person being schemed or planned against like I am. It just shows, you can throw that out the window. I’m gonna find a way.”

Only time will tell who will have the better 2025 campaign, but the Madden talent evaluators seem to have their money on Garrett once again.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers’ T.J. Watt Snubbed From Elite Club Once Again