Just days after the Cleveland Browns traded him to the Los Angeles Rams in one of the biggest moves of the NFL offseason, Myles Garrett has received another major honor.
The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year was named to TIME's list of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports for 2026, placing him alongside some of the most impactful athletes, coaches, executives and innovators across the sports world.
The recognition comes at a fascinating point in Garrett's career. After spending the first nine seasons of his NFL journey in Cleveland, the star pass rusher is preparing for a fresh start in Los Angeles following the blockbuster deal that sent him to the Rams in exchange for Jared Verse and multiple draft picks.
While the trade dominated headlines across the league, Garrett's latest accomplishment serves as another reminder of just how dominant he has become.
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TIME Highlights Garrett's Record-Breaking Season
In its profile of Garrett, TIME pointed to the historic 2025 season that helped cement his status as one of the greatest defensive players of his generation.
Garrett finished the year with 23 sacks, setting a new NFL single-season record. According to TIME, his record-breaking sack of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow came with a remarkable 0.23-second get-off time, the fastest recorded on any sack during the 2025 season.
The publication also noted that Garrett reached 23 sacks in fewer opponent pass plays than either Michael Strahan or T.J. Watt needed during their own record-setting campaigns.
That combination of explosiveness, power and consistency has made Garrett nearly impossible for opposing offenses to contain.
TIME's Sean Gregory even suggested that Garrett could eventually challenge Bruce Smith's all-time NFL record of 200 career sacks. Garrett enters his 10th NFL season with 125.5 career sacks already on his résumé.
Rams Hoping Garrett Can Deliver a Championship
The timing of the honor only adds to the excitement surrounding Garrett's move to Los Angeles.
The Rams have never been shy about making aggressive moves to chase championships, and acquiring Garrett may be their boldest move yet. The 30-year-old joins a roster led by Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua and head coach Sean McVay as the organization pushes for another Super Bowl run.
TIME acknowledged that reality as well, noting that Garrett could finally have an opportunity to compete deep into the postseason after spending much of his career on Browns teams that struggled to contend consistently.
For Garrett, the recognition represents yet another milestone in a career that already includes two Defensive Player of the Year awards, seven Pro Bowl selections and five First-Team All-Pro honors.
Now, with a spot on TIME's prestigious list and a new chapter beginning in Los Angeles, Garrett enters the 2026 season carrying championship expectations and the attention of the entire football world.
