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The room paused as the name was read, but the outcome had felt inevitable for months. On Thursday night at NFL Honors, Myles Garrett was named Defensive Player of the Year for the 2025 NFL season, becoming only the second player in league history to win the award unanimously.
Garrett's win marks his second DPOY honor, following his first in 2023, and places him alongside J.J. Watt in a category the NFL rarely visits. No other defender has received every single vote for the award.
The foundation of Garrett's case was built early and reinforced weekly. Across 17 games, he recorded 23 sacks, setting a new NFL single-season record. The previous benchmark of 22.5 sacks had been shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt, a mark long viewed as the ceiling for elite pass rushers.
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Garrett did not reach the record quietly. He posted three games with at least three sacks, including a five-sack performance against the New England Patriots, the AFC champions, in October. Defensive coordinators adjusted protections, slid help, and altered play calls, yet the pressure remained constant.
"It doesn't just start with me. It starts with great teammates, a great organization, great coaches being able to put us in position...
When the votes were tallied, the margin reflected the season. Will Anderson Jr. finished second (77 points), followed by Micah Parsons(63), Nik Bonitto(52), and Aidan Hutchinson(42).
League-wide recognition
Speaking after the announcement, Garrett emphasized the collective effort behind the individual award, saying, "It doesn't just start with me. It starts with great teammates, a great organization, great coaches being able to put us in position." League analysts echoed that view, noting that while sack totals headline the discussion, Garrett's impact extended to collapsing pockets and reshaping offensive game plans.
The recognition also underscores how much has changed in Cleveland. Less than a year ago, Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million extension, then the largest contract ever for a non-quarterback, according to Spotrac. The deal followed a brief period of uncertainty after a trade request. His 2025 season turned that moment into a footnote.
Garrett's season now defines the modern pass rusher
At 30 years old, Garrett remains firmly in his prime, now carrying both a historic season and rare league-wide validation into the Cleveland Browns' next campaign. The standard has shifted. Future Defensive Player of the Year races will be measured against what he delivered in 2025, a season that reset expectations for elite defensive play.
Award results and voting totals from NFL Honors; statistical records verified through Pro Football Reference; contract details via Spotrac; official comments from post-award media availability.