Is Myles Garrett Stealing the MVP Spotlight? Discover the Shocking Stats Behind His Rise!

Myles Garrett, the defensive powerhouse for the Cleveland Browns, has been a force to be reckoned with this season, positioning himself for the coveted Defensive Player of the Year Award. As 2025 progresses, he is not only in pursuit of the single-season sack record but also the tackles for a loss record, marking what many consider a historic season for the defensive star.

Despite his dominance, a glaring oversight remains: Garrett has not been mentioned as a contender for the AP Most Valuable Player Award. In a league where quarterbacks often dominate the MVP conversations, one must wonder: is there a more impactful player in football right now than Garrett?

Historically, the MVP award has heavily leaned toward quarterbacks. Since 2001, it has been awarded to quarterbacks 23 times, including co-winners in 2003. In contrast, only three running backs have taken home the award during this period, and defensive players have not received any recognition, despite remarkable individual performances. Notably, three receiving triple crowns and four seasons with 2,000 rushing yards have failed to yield an MVP win outside the quarterback position.

To understand the current landscape, it’s essential to note that from the award's inception in 1957 until 2000, 16 running backs won the MVP, closely matching the 26 quarterbacks who received the honor in that same timeframe. Importantly, there was even a defensive tackle, a linebacker, and a placekicker—Mark Moseley in 1982—who managed to take home the MVP award. However, the trend has shifted dramatically toward favoring quarterbacks in recent years.

Garrett's current performance could rival some of the most illustrious seasons by defensive players, including that of Lawrence Taylor in 1986, who led the league with 20.5 sacks and was pivotal in the New York Giants' Super Bowl victory that year. Another standout was Alan Page, who won the MVP in 1971 after finishing third in the voting the previous year.

This season, Garrett has set personal bests in sacks, tackles for a loss, and quarterback hits. He is just three combined tackles away from equaling his personal record for that statistic, adding to his tally of three forced fumbles and one pass defended. In comparison, during their MVP seasons, players like Eller recorded notable defensive stats, but Garrett's current numbers position him firmly among the league's elite.

Recognition from peers further solidifies Garrett's case. Trent Williams, the premier left tackle for the San Francisco 49ers, hailed Garrett as “the best ever.” Those words from a fellow player should not be taken lightly.

Looking at the usual MVP candidates, the landscape for quarterbacks is less than stellar. Stars like Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes (prior to his injury), and last year’s winner Josh Allen are all underperforming relative to their historic standards. Other names in the mix, such as Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, and Dak Prescott, also appear to be lacking that MVP magic this season.

The most viable candidates among passers seem to be Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford, but even their performances are not breaking records. Maye leads the league in completion percentage, but that alone may not warrant MVP consideration. Stafford, while leading in touchdown passes and ranking second in passing yards, lacks the defining moment that typically elevates a player to MVP status.

In contrast, Garrett’s standout performances have been undeniably impactful, as evidenced in his matchups against Maye and Jackson. This season, if there were ever a time to break the quarterback-centric MVP tradition, it would be now. One must look beyond the Browns' dismal 3-11 record and away from the longstanding offensive bias to consider rewarding the player who has demonstrated unparalleled dominance on the field.

Record or no record, no one is playing better football than Myles Garrett this season. If a placekicker could once win this prestigious accolade, it stands to reason that Garrett—despite the struggles of his team—deserves serious consideration for the league’s highest honor.