Myles Garrett

Myles Lorenz Garrett Bio

Myles Lorenz Garrett (born December 29, 1995) is an American professional football defensive end who currently plays for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Garrett was selected first overall by the Browns in the 2017 NFL draft following an outstanding college career at Texas A&M University. He has established himself as one of the premier pass rushers in professional football, earning NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023 and becoming the Browns’ all-time career sacks leader. Garrett has accumulated seven Pro Bowl selections and five first-team All-Pro honors throughout his career with the franchise.

Early Life and Background

Myles Garrett was born on December 29, 1995, in Arlington, Texas. He attended Martin High School in Arlington, where he excelled in multiple sports including football, basketball, and track and field. During his senior year of high school football, Garrett recorded 19.5 sacks and demonstrated the exceptional defensive talent that would define his career. His performance earned him the 2013 Landry Award, presented annually to the top high school player in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Garrett was highly regarded as a recruit, earning a five-star rating from Rivals.com and ranking as the second-best overall player in his class nationally. His athletic abilities extended beyond football, as he qualified for state competitions in track and field’s throwing events, posting top marks of 16.01 meters in the shot put and 50.84 meters in the discus throw. In October 2013, Garrett made his commitment to play college football at Texas A&M University, joining a program that had recently produced several NFL draft picks.

Path to Professional Football

Garrett arrived at Texas A&M in 2014 as the number two overall prospect in the nation. As a true freshman, he quickly made an impact by breaking the Aggies’ freshman sack record of 5.5, achieving this feat in just six games. He continued his remarkable pace and eventually broke Jadeveon Clowney’s Southeastern Conference (SEC) freshman sack record of eight, finishing the season with 11.5 sacks in only nine games. His performance also included 53 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hurries, and a blocked kick that was returned for a touchdown against Auburn. Despite playing through a hand injury that required surgery after the sixth game, Garrett earned consensus Freshman All-American honors and was named to the Freshman All-SEC team.

His sophomore season saw Garrett elevate his game further, leading the SEC with 12.5 sacks while recording 57 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles. He also contributed a blocked punt against Alabama and recorded his first career interception off his own tipped ball against Ole Miss. These achievements earned him first-team All-American honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the Football Writers Association of America, along with the Bill Willis Award as the nation’s top defensive lineman.

Garrett’s junior year in 2016 was marked by injuries, including a high ankle sprain that limited his availability. Despite missing games against South Carolina and New Mexico State, he recorded 8.5 sacks and earned unanimous consensus All-American designation, being selected to the first-team by all six major selector organizations. Following the season, Garrett announced his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2017 NFL draft. He was projected as the top overall prospect, ranking number one on ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s big board and the top defensive end by multiple scouting services. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Garrett posted impressive numbers including a 41-inch vertical jump, the top performance among all defensive linemen, along with strong showings in the bench press and 40-yard dash.

Myles Lorenz Garrett Career

Cleveland Browns (2017–Present)

The Cleveland Browns selected Myles Garrett with the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft, making him the highest draft pick from Texas A&M in NFL draft history. He signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $30.41 million contract on May 19, 2017, featuring a $20.25 million signing bonus. Garrett entered training camp as a starting defensive end and was named to the starting lineup alongside Emmanuel Ogbah for the regular season opener. His rookie campaign was interrupted by injury, as he suffered a high ankle sprain during practice before the season began and missed the first four games.

Garrett made his NFL debut on October 8, 2017, against the New York Jets and made an immediate impact by recording two sacks on his first regular season game, including one on his very first NFL play. Despite battling through a concussion during Week 8, Garrett finished his rookie season with seven sacks in 11 games, leading the Browns in that category despite his limited availability. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team for his efforts.

During the 2018 season, Garrett was named a defensive captain and delivered his most productive season to that point. He started all 16 games and recorded 13.5 sacks, ranking sixth in the NFL that year, along with 44 combined tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 29 quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles. His standout performances included two-sack games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His first Pro Bowl selection highlighted his emergence as one of the league’s top defensive ends.

The 2019 season took a dramatic turn when Garrett was involved in an altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph during a Week 11 game. Following the incident, Garrett was suspended for the remainder of the season, marking the second-longest suspension for on-field misconduct in NFL history. He was reinstated on February 12, 2020, after meeting with league officials. In 2020, Garrett bounced back with a vengeance, signing a five-year, $125 million contract extension and posting another strong season with multiple standout performances including strip sacks against rookie quarterback Joe Burrow and veteran passers Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson. He earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice that season and was named to the Pro Bowl.

Garrett continued his dominance in 2021, setting a Browns franchise record with 16 sacks in a single season along with 51 combined tackles, both career highs at that point. He earned first-team All-Pro honors and was ranked 11th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022. The 2022 season saw him record another 16 sacks with 60 total tackles and two forced fumbles, earning his fifth Pro Bowl selection and finishing fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Defensive Player of the Year and Record-Breaking Seasons (2023–2025)

The 2023 season represented the pinnacle of Garrett’s career up to that point. He recorded 14 sacks during the regular season while leading the NFL’s top defense and forcing a career-high four fumbles. His standout performance in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts included nine tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and a blocked field goal in a narrow 39–38 victory, earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. At the 13th Annual NFL Honors ceremony, Garrett was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, receiving the prestigious award for the first time in his career.

Garrett followed his MVP-caliber season with another strong campaign in 2024, recording 14 sacks, 47 tackles, and three forced fumbles while leading the NFL with 22 tackles for loss. His consistent excellence earned him his sixth Pro Bowl selection and fifth first-team All-Pro nomination. He was ranked eighth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025, reflecting the respect he had earned throughout the league.

The 2025 season became historic for Garrett as he shattered the NFL single-season sack record. During a Week 12 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, he recorded three sacks to bring his season total to 18 and break the Browns’ franchise record he had previously set. In the final week of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals, Garrett recorded his 23rd sack of the season, breaking the previous NFL record of 22.5 set by Michael Strahan and T. J. Watt. His 33 tackles for loss ranked as the second most in NFL history since the statistic became official. He earned his seventh career Pro Bowl nomination and fifth first-team All-Pro selection, and won Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons, joining J.J. Watt as the only players in NFL history to win the award unanimously.

Driving Style and Strengths

Garrett combines exceptional athleticism with refined technique to become one of the most dangerous edge rushers in professional football. His 6-foot-4, 272-pound frame provides the power to bull-rush offensive tackles, while his explosive first step and 41-inch vertical leap enable him to win the edge with speed-to-power moves. His relentless motor and hand technique allow him to disengage from blocks and collapse the pocket consistently. Garrett’s ability to locate and strip the football has resulted in 23 career forced fumbles, showcasing his awareness and ball-hawking skills.

Notable Events and Milestones

Throughout his career, Garrett has accumulated numerous signature performances and milestones. His first NFL game saw him record two sacks, establishing the standard of production Browns fans came to expect. In 2020, he became the first Browns player to receive a 99 rating in the Madden NFL video game. His 2021 season saw him break the franchise single-game sack record with 4.5 sacks against the Chicago Bears. Most significantly, his 23-sack season in 2025 broke the NFL’s all-time single-season record, cementing his legacy among the greatest pass rushers in league history.

Myles Lorenz Garrett Career Wins

Garrett has built an impressive statistical portfolio throughout his NFL career, highlighted by consistent double-digit sack seasons and numerous individual accolades. His career totals include over 400 tackles, 125.5 sacks, 23 forced fumbles, and 18 pass deflections across his nine seasons with the Browns through 2025.

NFL Highlights

Garrett’s NFL career has been defined by sustained excellence and record-setting performances. He became the Browns’ all-time career sacks leader during the 2024 season, surpassing all previous franchise pass rushers. His most recent achievement came in 2025 when he set the NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks, breaking the previous mark held by Michael Strahan and T. J. Watt. Garrett’s consistency is evident in his seven Pro Bowl selections and five first-team All-Pro honors spread across his nine seasons. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award twice, in 2023 and 2025, joining an exclusive group of elite defenders to earn the honor multiple times.

College Achievements

Prior to his professional success, Garrett dominated college football at Texas A&M from 2014 to 2016. He finished his three-year career with 32.5 sacks, breaking multiple freshman records and leading the SEC in sacks twice. His junior season concluded with unanimous All-American honors, and his career achievements include the Bill Willis Trophy, two first-team All-SEC selections, and recognition as a consensus All-American in 2016.

Myles Lorenz Garrett Family

Family Background and Athletic Lineage

Myles Garrett comes from a family with strong athletic achievements. His half-brother, Sean Williams, was a standout basketball player for Boston College and was selected with the 17th pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets. Williams went on to play in the NBA from 2007 to 2012. His older sister, Brea Garrett, was a track and field athlete at Texas A&M and achieved notable success, winning the 2014 NCAA title in the 20-pound weight throw. Brea became the first weight throw champion in Aggie history, demonstrating the family’s athletic excellence across multiple sports.

Personal Life

Garrett has maintained an active presence in his community beyond football. In September 2021, a mural depicting Garrett as a young child alongside his grandmother Juanita was unveiled in the Playhouse Square district in downtown Cleveland, recognizing his connection to the city he represented. In September 2022, Garrett was involved in a single-car crash near Wadsworth, Ohio, leaving the team facility. He suffered minor injuries and was released from the hospital the same day. In October 2023, Garrett purchased a minority ownership stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association and serves as an ambassador for the team, further cementing his ties to the Cleveland community.

Garrett has been open about his creative pursuits away from football, including writing poetry and working on a children’s book about dinosaurs. He has previously explained that during the 2015 offseason, he stepped away from social media briefly, citing a desire to focus on his personal growth and football development. As of 2025, Garrett is in a relationship with Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Chloe Kim.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 NFL season stands as the most remarkable individual campaign of Garrett’s career. After requesting a trade in February 2025 following the Browns’ 3-14 record in 2024, Garrett and the Browns’ front office agreed to a historic contract extension instead. The four-year, $160 million deal with $123.5 million guaranteed kept him with the franchise through the 2030 season and included a no-trade clause. With his future secured, Garrett delivered a historic season that exceeded all expectations.

Garrett’s 2025 campaign was highlighted by consistent dominance against opposing offensive lines. He set a new franchise record in Week 8 with five sacks against the New England Patriots, though the Browns lost that game. His momentum continued through the season, and by Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders, he had broken his own franchise single-season sack record with 18 sacks. His performance earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for that game and AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November.

The season concluded with Garrett breaking the NFL’s all-time single-season sack record, recording his 23rd sack in the final week against the Cincinnati Bengals. His 33 tackles for loss ranked as the second most in NFL history since the statistic became official, trailing only his own potential future performances. His unanimous selection as Defensive Player of the Year for 2025 validated what many already knew: Garrett had established himself among the greatest pass rushers in NFL history, capable of rewriting record books while anchoring one of the league’s most feared defenses.