What’s Next: Why Myles Garrett Can Now Be the GOAT Pass-Rusher

The Los Angeles Rams’ blockbuster trade will allow the football world to see the NFL’s best pass rusher 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 stage that will not only cement his credentials as a future gold jacket wearer, but he could achieve the most talented status to ever achieve “GOAT.”

As a former NFL player who played with Hall of Famers Bruce Smith, Reggie White and Derrick Thomas, and worked with the Carolina Panthers when a young Julius Peppers began his Hall of Fame career, I am uniquely qualified to make that assessment based on watching and benefiting from their dominance and destruction at the point of attack. Given that three members of the aforementioned quartet are 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 through his first nine seasons.

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

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

In addition, the insanely athletic sack artist can win with power by using a bull rush or a two-handed swipe to slide 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 is the rare superstar who plays with the energy and enthusiasm of a practice squad member trying to earn a permanent roster spot.

Garrett’s competitiveness, tenacity and effort jump off the tape, and that’s one of his superpowers when evaluating his game. Reflecting back on my time with Smith and White, the Hall of Fame inductees also took immense pride in their conditioning. They were able to combine their skills with a nonstop engine that enabled them to outwork and outlast opponents on the edges. With Smith and White also able to knock blockers around with arm-overs and “hump” maneuvers, their ability to win with either finesse or power 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 sack leader and runner-up, but he also displays the electric athleticism that helped Peppers terrorize opponents off the edge. The explosive first-step speed and smooth maneuvers (dip-and-rip and trunk swimming moves) are straight from the former two-sport athlete’s playbook. With Garrett able to single-handedly destroy game plans as a three-time All-Pro and 2000s and 2010s NFL All-Decade Team member, the Rams add a generational talent to the defense that will tilt the field in their favor when he steps 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 plan that produced Sean McVay’s first Super Bowl win, the Rams have rebuilt a defensive lineup with similar star power. Garrett steps into the role previously held by three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald as the disruptive force on the field. Although No. 99 did his damage on the interior, the attention he gained created big playing 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. Given Young’s win rate (14%), according to ESPN Analytics, which ranked fifth among 2025 defensive tackles without an All-Pro in the lineup, the fourth-year pro could see his sack numbers explode this season after tallying 24 in 51 career games.

Young quietly recorded 12 sacks a season ago with a 16.8% Pass-Rush Win Rate that ranked among the top 20 edge defenders in the league, per PFF. With teams forced to make tough decisions in pass protection with three credible pass rushers on the field, Garrett’s arrival could turn a good pass rush into a great one by season’s end.

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 have found a way to operate in “Super Bowl-or-bust” mode while planning for a future with a young franchise quarterback in the bullpen. Although the Rams’ acquisition cost them several first-round picks, the opportunity to add Garrett to a lineup that has an All-Pro defensive back (Trent McDuffie) and another playmaking cover corner (Jaylen Watkins) should create a dèjá vu moment that brings back memories of Super Bowl LVI, when another GOAT led a title run with Eric Ramsey and Wedle back.

With all eyes on the Rams, Stafford and Garrett trying to create a history book ending in Hollywood, the football world may finally see the game’s preeminent pass rusher on the super stage.