What’s next: why Myles Garrett can now become the GOAT Pass-Rusher

The Los Angeles Rams’ blockbuster trade will allow the football world to see the NFL’s best passer on the league’s biggest and brightest stage. By luring Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett to Hollywood to help the reigning MVP make one last run at the Lombardi Trophy, the Rams are giving the seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time Defensive Player of the Year a step that will not only solidify his credentials as a future Gold Jacket wearer, but he could also achieve “GOAT” status as the most talented passer to ever don the pads.

As a former NFL player who played with Hall of Famers Bruce Smith, Reggie White and Derrick Thomas, and who worked with the Carolina Panthers when a young Julius Peppers embarked on his Hall of Fame career, I am uniquely qualified to make this assessment based on observing and benefiting from their dominance and destruction at the point of attack. Considering three members of the aforementioned quartet rank among the top four in sacks all-time (No. 1: Smith, 200.0; No. 2: White, 198.0; No. 4: Peppers, 159.5), the comparisons for Garrett are warranted based on his performance and production over his first nine seasons.

Garrett, the NFL’s single-season record holder (23), has 125.5 career sacks in 134 games. He’s been a model of consistency, with eight seasons with at least 10 sacks and 149 tackles for loss, including 55 since 2024 alone. There’s only one real blemish on his record, and it’s beyond his control: he’s only appeared in three playoff games.

As the star playmaker for former Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, the 6-foot-4, 272-pounder attacked offensive guards and tackles like an NBA small forward running an isolation play on the wing. Garrett’s first step quickness and wide range of hesitation fakes and spin moves make him impossible to block without using a double team or chip block from a running back or tight end.

Additionally, the terrifically athletic sack artist can win with power, using a bull rush or two-handed jab to get past blockers at the point of attack. Garrett’s clever use of finesse moves and old-school power maneuvers are complemented by his relentless motor. He’s the rare superstar who plays with the energy and enthusiasm of a practice squad member trying to earn a permanent spot on the team.

Garrett’s competitiveness, stamina and effort are evident, and it’s one of his superpowers when evaluating his game. Looking back on my time with Smith and White, the Hall of Fame inductees were also extremely proud of their conditioning. They were able to combine their skills with a non-stop engine that allowed them to outplay their opponents around the edges. With Smith and White also capable of knocking down blockers with arms and “bump” maneuvers, their ability to win with finesse or force sets them apart from others at the position.

The two-time Defensive Player of the Year not only shares the explosive strength and power traits of the NFL’s all-time leader and runner-up, but he also displays the electric athleticism that helped Peppers terrorize opponents. The explosive quickness of the first step and sliding maneuvers (dip-and-rip and stutter swimming strokes) are straight from the former two-sport athlete’s playbook. With Garrett capable of single-handedly destroying game plans as the three-time All-Pro and member of the NFL All-Decade teams of the 2000s and 2010s, the Rams add a generational talent to the defense that will tilt the field in their favor every time he passes between the lines.

Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns sacks Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Field on November 16, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Given the Super Bowl LVI blueprint that produced Sean McVay’s first Super Bowl win, the Rams recreated a defensive lineup with similar star power. Garrett assumes the role previously held by three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald as a disruptive force at the line of scrimmage. Although No. 99 did some damage inside, the attention he garnered created big-play opportunities for others on the front line.

Kobie Turner and Byron Young will undoubtedly benefit from Garrett’s presence, as they will see their one-on-one opportunities increase with teams sending two and three blockers in the sack leader’s direction. Considering Young’s win rate (14 percent), according to ESPN Analytics, ranked fifth among defensive tackles in 2025 without the All-Pro in the lineup, the fourth-year pro could see his sack numbers explode this season after totaling 24 in 51 career games.

Young quietly recorded 12 sacks a season ago, with a 16.8% Pass-Rush win rate that ranks among the top 20 edge defenders in the league, according to PFF. With teams forced to make tough decisions in pass protection with three credible passers on the field, the addition of Garrett could turn a good pass rush into a great one by the end of the season.

Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns sacks Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 14, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

General manager Les Snead and McVay found a way to operate in “Super Bowl or bust” mode, while planning for a future with a young franchise quarterback in the bullpen. While the Rams’ acquisitions cost them several first-round picks, the opportunity to add Garrett to a roster that features an All-Pro defensive back (Trent McDuffie) and another play-coverage corner (Jaylen Watkins) should create a déjà vu moment that brings back memories of Super Bowl LVI when another GOAT led a title run with defensive backs Jalen Ramsey and Eric Weddle in supporting roles.

With all eyes on the Rams, Stafford and Garrett trying to create a storybook ending in Hollywood, the football world could finally see the game’s preeminent passer on the super stage.