Myles Garrett Wins Second Defensive Player of Year Award in Unanimous Vote After Shattering NFL Sack Record

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett earned his second NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in unanimous fashion at the 2026 NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday night in San Francisco, capping a historic season in which he shattered the league's single-season sack record. Garrett recorded 23 quarterback takedowns during the 2025 campaign, breaking the mark of 22.5 sacks that had stood since 2001 when Michael Strahan set the previous record. The unanimous selection reflected the dominance Garrett displayed throughout the season, as all 50 voting members of a nationwide panel of sportswriters and broadcasters recognized his unprecedented performance.

Garrett's record-breaking season featured remarkable consistency, as he recorded at least one sack in 14 of Cleveland's 17 regular season games and posted multiple-sack performances seven times. His 23 sacks came on 72 total quarterback pressures, demonstrating not just volume but efficiency in his pass-rushing technique. Beyond sacks, Garrett also contributed 68 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles, showcasing his complete skill set as an elite edge rusher. His presence fundamentally altered opposing offensive game plans, with teams frequently dedicating two or even three blockers to slow his relentless pursuit of quarterbacks.

"This award belongs to my teammates and coaches who put me in position to succeed," Garrett said during his acceptance speech. "Breaking the sack record was never about individual glory - it was about doing everything I could to help this team win games. I'm honored to join the legends who have won this award, and I'm hungry to keep improving and chasing more championships." Garrett's humble remarks belied the historical significance of his achievement, as he became just the fourth player in NFL history to win Defensive Player of the Year multiple times, joining Lawrence Taylor, JJ Watt, and Aaron Donald in that exclusive group.

Garrett first captured the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023, when he recorded 16 sacks and led the Browns to a playoff appearance. His 2025 season represented a significant leap forward even from that elite performance, as he refined his technique and expanded his pass-rushing repertoire to include more sophisticated moves and counter-moves. At 29 years old and entering his ninth NFL season, Garrett appears to be reaching his absolute peak, combining his exceptional physical gifts with veteran savvy and an unmatched work ethic that has become legendary within the Browns organization.

The unanimous vote distinguishes Garrett's 2025 campaign as one of the most dominant individual defensive seasons in recent NFL history. With two Defensive Player of the Year awards now on his resume, Garrett has established himself firmly among the greatest defensive players of his generation. If he can claim the award one more time, he would join Donald, Watt, and Taylor as the only players ever to win three Defensive Player of the Year honors, cementing his legacy as one of the most fearsome pass rushers the league has ever seen. As the Browns continue building toward championship contention, Garrett's presence anchoring their defense remains their most valuable asset.