Just when it seemed like the NFL was fading, something exciting happened. During the typically quiet period for the league, the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams made a trade that has everyone talking.
In a stunning move, the Rams acquired NFL’s single-season sack leader, Myles Garrett, for multiple draft picks and star edge rusher Jared Verse. While Verse is likely having serious second thoughts about his life choices, Garrett is clearly focused on making a name for himself as the top pass rusher in NFL history.
Despite being 30, many believe Garrett’s best performances are still ahead. Having moved away from Cleveland, he now finds himself in a situation that could maximize his opportunities to rush the quarterback.
Enhanced pass rush chances
One thing you can count on is that the Rams typically score a lot. In 2025, they led the NFL in both scoring and total offense, whereas the Browns ranked low, coming in at 30th for offensive yards and 31st for points.
Analyzing the plays, the Rams executed 2,157 plays in 2025, leading on 1,477 of them. This resulted in about 68% of their plays coming with a lead. For the Browns, however, they only led on 757 of their 2,045 snaps, which is just 37 percent.
Digging deeper, the fourth-quarter stats reveal more. Both teams played 708 snaps during this period, but the Rams led for 517 of those snaps compared to just 217 for the Browns. This is a sharp contrast, with a 73 percent to 30 percent lead. Notably, when looking at defensive snaps taken during the fourth quarter while holding a lead, Cleveland managed only 123 snaps.
Garrett now has nearly a quarter more pass rush opportunities than he had previously, especially since teams were trying to run the ball in those crucial late-game moments. Inserting Myles Garrett in high-stakes moments is akin to bringing in a top closer in the ninth inning of a baseball game. Facing him while trying to mount a late rally must feel haunting—think of how eerie a John Carpenter score feels.
Myles Garrett’s prowess
With the Browns bringing in Mason Graham to support the interior, they realized just how impactful Garrett could be. Graham delivered 36 pressures in 2025, and his presence was vital to Garrett breaking the single-season sack record. Now, if you consider the reigning Defensive Player of the Year paired with multiple high-quality teammates, it’s intriguing to think about what they can achieve together.
Coby Turner ranked fifth among defensive linemen with 55 pressures, Braden Fisk was also top 20 with 42, and Poona Ford contributed 30. On the opposite edge, Byron Young posted 64 pressures and 12.5 sacks, putting him in the top 10 among edge rushers.
Garrett isn’t just still there; he’s at his peak with potentially the best support in the league. This defensive lineup could rival an ultimate superhero team. On paper, they appear to be the strongest in the NFL, and if they reach their potential, there may not be many offensive lines equipped to handle them for a full game.
And, as a bonus, they also secured All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.
Garrett has navigated through some challenging seasons in his nine-year career. Now, equipped with a potent offense and a robust defense that ranked seventh in the league last season, there’s a strong chance that Myles Garrett’s best days are still ahead. And honestly, that’s a little frightening.
