Myles Garrett Unanimously Named 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, History
Myles Garrett Unanimously Named 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
In a historic achievement, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was unanimously awarded the 2025 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year at the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco on February 5, 2026. Garrett received all 50 first-place votes from the Associated Press panel, earning a perfect 500 points and becoming just the second player in NFL history to win the award unanimously (following J.J. Watt in 2014).
This marks his second DPOY honor, having previously won in 2023.Garrett's dominant 2025 season included breaking the NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks, surpassing the previous mark of 22.5 shared by Hall of Famer Michael Strahan (2001) and T.J. Watt (2021). He achieved the record in Week 18 with a sack on Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Despite the Browns' disappointing 5-12 record, Garrett's performance was undeniable:
Led the league with 33 tackles for loss (second-most in the NFL over the past 25 years).
In a historic achievement, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was unanimously awarded the 2025 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year at the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco on February 5, 2026. Garrett received all 50 first-place votes from the Associated Press panel, earning a perfect 500 points and becoming just the second player in NFL history to win the award unanimously (following J.J. Watt in 2014).
This marks his second DPOY honor, having previously won in 2023.Garrett's dominant 2025 season included breaking the NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks, surpassing the previous mark of 22.5 shared by Hall of Famer Michael Strahan (2001) and T.J. Watt (2021). He achieved the record in Week 18 with a sack on Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Despite the Browns' disappointing 5-12 record, Garrett's performance was undeniable:
Led the league with 33 tackles for loss (second-most in the NFL over the past 25 years).
Recorded a career-high 39 quarterback hits (second in the league).
Tallied 60 total tackles (tying a career high) and 3 forced fumbles.
His 23 sacks outpaced the next closest competitor, Brian Burns, by 6.5 sacks (Burns had 16.5). Critics have noted the NFL's 17-game regular season (expanded to 18 weeks since 2021), but context shows Garrett faced fewer passing opportunities: the Browns allowed only 562 dropbacks (third-fewest in the league), compared to 576 for Strahan's Giants and 649 for Watt's Steelers in their record seasons.Garrett, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, has solidified his status as one of the game's all-time great defenders.
He joins an elite group of multi-time DPOY winners (including Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Aaron Donald, and others) and continues to build a case as a future Hall of Famer and potential GOAT-level pass rusher. His unanimous selection highlights recognition of individual excellence regardless of team success.
He joins an elite group of multi-time DPOY winners (including Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Aaron Donald, and others) and continues to build a case as a future Hall of Famer and potential GOAT-level pass rusher. His unanimous selection highlights recognition of individual excellence regardless of team success.
Who won the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award most times.?
Only three players Lawrence Taylor ( Giants) J. J. Watt (Texans) and Aaron Donald (Rams) has won the AP Defensive Player of the Year Award most three times each, While Five others has also won the Defensive award two times.
- Joe Greene - Pittsburgh Steelers
- Mike Singletary - Chicago Bears
- Bruce Smith - Buffalo Bills
- Reggie White - Eagles, Packers
- Ray Lewis - Baltimore Ravens
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AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners from 1971-2025.
Below is a list of past winners of the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award Since 1971-2025.
Year - Winner
2025 — Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
2024 — Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos, DB
2023 — Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns, DE
2022 — Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers
2021 — T.J. Watt, Pittsburge Steelers
2020 — Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
2019 — Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots
2018 — Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
2017 — Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
2016 — Khalil Mack, Raiders
2015 — J.J. Watt, Texans
2014 — J.J. Watt, Texans
2013 — Luke Kuechly, Panthers
2012 — J.J. Watt, Texans
2011 — Terrell Suggs, Ravens
2010 — Troy Polamalu, Steelers
2009 — Charles Woodson, Packers
2008 — James Harrison, Steelers
2007 — Bob Sanders, Colts
2006 — Jason Taylor, Dolphins
2005 — Brian Urlacher, Bears
2004 — Ed Reed, Ravens
2003 — Ray Lewis, Ravens
2002 — Derrick Brooks, Bucs
2001 — Michael Strahan, Giants
2000 — Ray Lewis, Ravens
1999 — Warren Sapp, Bucs
1998 - Reggie White, Packers
1997 - Dana Stubblefield, 49ers
1996 - Bruce Smith, Bills
1995 - Bryce Paup, Bills
1994 - Deion Sanders, 49ers
1993 - Rod Woodson, Steelers
1992 - Cortez Kennedy, Seahawks
1991 - Pat Swilling, Saints
1990 - Bruce Smith, Bills
1989 - Keith Millard, Vikings
1988 - Mike Singletary, Bears
1987 - Reggie White, Eagles
1986 - Lawrence Taylor, Giants
1985 - Mike Singletary, Bears
1984 - Kenny Easley, Seahawks
1983 - Doug Betters, Dolphins
1982 - Lawrence Taylor, Giants
1981 - Lawrence Taylor, Giants
1980 - Lester Hayes, Raiders
1979 - Lee Roy Selmon, Bucs
1978 - Randy Gradishar, Broncos
1977 - Harvey Martin, Cowboys
1976 - Jack Lambert, Steelers
1975 - Mel Blount, Steelers
1974 - Joe Greene, Steelers
1973 - Dick Anderson, Dolphins
1972 - Joe Greene, Steelers
1971 - Alan Page, Vikings
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