Myles Garrett unanimous choice for AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. MVP remains to be announced
Published on Friday, 6 February 2026 at 2:21 pm

The National Football League has officially crowned its most dominant defender, with Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett earning the prestigious AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. In a testament to his unparalleled season, Garrett received all 50 first-place votes from a panel of national media members, making his selection a rare unanimous decision. This overwhelming support underscores a campaign where Garrett not only led the league in disruption but also etched his name into the record books. His exceptional performance throughout the season culminated in an astounding 23 sacks, setting a new single-season benchmark and cementing his status as the premier defensive force in professional football.
Garrett's season was a masterclass in defensive end play, characterized by a relentless motor, explosive power, and an arsenal of pass-rush moves that consistently terrorized opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks. His 23 sacks were not merely a statistical anomaly but a reflection of his profound impact on every game the Browns played. He consistently altered game plans, forced turnovers, and elevated the entire Cleveland defensive unit, which itself emerged as one of the league's most formidable. The unanimous vote speaks volumes about how widely recognized his dominance was across the league, leaving no room for debate regarding his supremacy among his peers. Such a decisive victory in the voting process is a rare occurrence, reserved only for truly generational talents who separate themselves entirely from the competition.
With this latest accolade, Garrett also joins an incredibly exclusive fraternity of players who have earned the AP Defensive Player of the Year award multiple times in their careers. He becomes just the ninth player in NFL history to achieve this remarkable feat, placing him alongside legendary figures whose careers are defined by sustained excellence and game-changing defensive prowess. This second DPOY honor solidifies his burgeoning legacy as one of the greatest defensive players of his era, with many years of elite play still ahead. While the league celebrates Garrett's well-deserved recognition, the anticipation now shifts to the announcement of the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award, the final and most coveted individual honor of the season, which is still pending.
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Source: mankatofreepress

