Myles Garrett wins ESPY Award, adds another trophy to his growing collection

Myles Garrett made it another trophy for the case on 18 July 2026, when the Cleveland Browns defensive end added an ESPY Award to his shelf of accolades.

What happened?

Garrett, the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, received the ESPY for Best Breakthrough Athlete at the 2026 ESPY Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. The honor caps a stretch where Garrett has become one of the league’s most decorated defensive players in recent memory.

The award recognizes athletes who have elevated their game to new heights. For Garrett, that meant another dominant season in 2025, where he led the Browns to the playoffs and posted career-highs in sacks and tackles for loss. His performance turned heads across the league and drew national attention to Cleveland’s resurgence.

Why it matters for Myles Garrett

This ESPY isn’t just another shiny object on the shelf: it’s proof that Garrett’s star power extends beyond the gridiron. The award highlights his influence as a marketable, high-profile athlete who draws eyeballs both on Sundays and off them.

Garrett joins a short list of NFL players to win an ESPY, a rare honor for defensive players. His rise mirrors the Browns’ own climb from also-rans to legitimate contenders, with Garrett as the face of that transformation.

The timing matters, too. At 28 years old, Garrett is entering the prime of his career. Another elite season could push him toward even bigger hardware: maybe even a second Defensive Player of the Year award or a Super Bowl run.

What comes next?

Don’t expect Garrett to slow down. The Browns are built around him now, and the franchise is betting big on a deep playoff run in 2026. If Cleveland makes a serious push, Garrett will be front and center in the MVP conversation.

The ESPY adds to a growing list that already includes the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year and multiple Pro Bowl nods. But Garrett isn’t collecting trophies for the shelf: he’s using them to fuel the next chapter.

And if recent history is any guide, that next chapter could be even brighter. Garrett’s relentless motor and refined pass-rush repertoire keep defenses guessing. Opponents already fear his first step; the rest of the league is starting to notice the results.

The bigger picture for Cleveland

The Browns haven’t just turned a corner: they’ve built a contender with Garrett as the cornerstone. The ESPY cements his role not just as the team’s best player, but as its most marketable asset.

Cleveland’s front office has bet heavily on Garrett and his supporting cast. If the gamble pays off with a playoff berth in 2026, the Browns could be one step away from proving they’re no longer pretenders.

For now, Garrett’s just adding another trophy. But in Cleveland, they’re already dreaming bigger.