Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett posted a 2025 season that firmly etched his name among the elite in NFL history.
Garrett set a new standard for sacks in a season when he brought down Cincinnati
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow for his 23rd sack of the campaign. Along the way, he became the first player since 1982 to have at least 12 sacks in six consecutive seasons, and now holds the record for most sacks by a player under the age of 30, besting Hall-of-Famer Reggie White.
His first sack of New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in Week 8, one of five sacks by Garrett on the day, also made Garrett the first player in NFL history to record at least 14 sacks in four consecutive seasons.
Because of all that, The Sporting News named Garrett its Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday, making him the first player to earn the award for three consecutive seasons:
Garrett dominated with his pass rush like no other defensive end or outside linebacker in the modern era. He also remains a nasty run stopper in the Browns’ front. He is the unquestioned best and most indispensable defensive player in the NFL today. Garrett also dominated the votes outside of Cleveland, rocking well past fellow Sporting News All-Pro end Will Anderson Jr. of Houston.
Garrett wins DPOY for the third consecutive time, a first in the history of our awards. His three awards tie the all-time SN DPOY career total of J.J. Watt, who won in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Rams legend Aaron Donald (2) is the only other multiple-time winner.
The Sporting News first began recognizing NFL players in 1954 when Cleveland Browns offensive tackle/kicker Lou Groza was named Player of the Year. He was joined by quarterback Otto Graham (1955), running back Jim Brown (1957, 1958, and 1965), and quarterback Brian Sipe (1980).
Beginning in 2008, the site began selecting both an Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, and Garrett has been the only Cleveland player honored during that time.
