Myles Garrett's Historic Season: A Lock for Defensive Player of the Year? (2026)

The Sack Master: Myles Garrett's Quest for NFL Glory

In a league where defensive dominance is celebrated, one man stands tall - Myles Garrett, the Browns' defensive end, is on the cusp of an extraordinary achievement. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Garrett's success enough to earn him the title of NFL's Defensive Player of the Year?

The NFL has unveiled its top five contenders for this prestigious award, and surprisingly, they're all edge rushers. Joining Garrett in this elite group are Will Anderson from Houston, Nik Bonitto from Denver, Aidan Hutchinson from Detroit, and Micah Parsons from Green Bay. Their sack numbers speak volumes: Garrett leads with a record-breaking 23 sacks, followed by Hutchinson (14.5), Bonitto (14), Parsons (12.5), and Anderson (12).

And this is the part most people miss: The Defensive Player of the Year award usually goes to pass rushers, but the current holder, Patrick Surtain II, is a rare exception from the secondary. This year's finalists heavily favor edge rushers, raising questions about whether voters are truly considering all defensive positions or simply favoring famous pass rushers.

The Associated Press voters, who also choose the All-Pro team, ranked Hutchinson and Bonitto surprisingly low among pass rushers, despite their presence in the top 5 defensive players. It's a curious dilemma.

While we await the official announcement at the NFL Honors, it's almost certain that Garrett will take home the crown. But the real question remains: Should the award be limited to edge rushers, or should it celebrate the best of all defensive positions? What do you think? Let's spark a discussion in the comments!

Myles Garrett's Historic Season: A Lock for Defensive Player of the Year? (2026)
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