Myles Garrett was a wrecking ball during the regular season. He was compensated for the damage on Thursday.
The Cleveland Browns defensive end was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career after setting the NFL record with 23 sacks during the regular season. He broke the record of 22.5 that Hall of Famer Michael Strahan set with the New York Giants in 2001, and that Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt matched in 2021.
Garrett was a unanimous choice, earning first-place votes on all 50 ballots.
Garrett, who also won the DPOY award in 2023, has been one of the most effective and consistent defensive players in the NFL throughout his nine-year career in Cleveland. He has had double-digit sacks in every year except for his rookie season, and is tied for 20th all-time with 125.5 sacks. The all-time leader is Bruce Smith (Bills, Commanders) with 200.
Zac Jackson, Browns writer: Garrett is one of one. His rare combination of size and explosiveness is why he’s won this award before, and 2025 was probably his best year in terms of consistent effort and disruption. He commands attention from opposing quarterbacks, play callers and offensive linemen at all times, and he’s often affecting games even when he’s not recording sacks.
That he went from having five sacks after six games to setting the new single-season record of 23 is pretty astounding in itself. And though Garrett turned 30 in late December, he seems to be very much in his prime. The chase for 25 sacks in a season resumes in September.
Josh McDaniels, Assistant Coach of the Year
McDaniels continues to find success as the New England Patriots offensive coordinator. After an unsuccessful 2-year stint as Raiders head coach, McDaniels finds himself in the Super Bowl for the fifth time with the Patriots. The previous four times, it was with Tom Brady. Now, with Drake Maye. His offense was ranked No. 2 in points scored and third in yards gained during the 2025 regular season.
McDaniels led the voting with 249 points (17 first-place votes), followed by Denver’s Vance Joseph 176 (10), Minnesota’s Brian Flores 130 (8), Seattle’s Klint Kubiak 102 (3) and Philadelphia’s Vic Fangio 78 (4).
Other awards to be announced Thursday include Comeback Player of the Year, Protector of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player and Walter Payton Man of the Year.
The finalists for all the awards are listed here.