Myles Garrett, defensive end for the Browns, is set to be honored as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. He broke the league record for sacks in a season, achieving an impressive 23.
The NFL has announced the five finalists for this prestigious award, and all of them are edge rushers. Alongside Garrett are Houston’s Will Anderson, Denver’s Nik Bonitto, Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson, and Green Bay’s Micah Parsons. Their sack totals for the season are notably high: Hutchinson with 14.5, Bonitto with 14, Parsons with 12.5, and Anderson with 12.
This year’s inductees appear to heavily favor pass rushers, raising questions about whether voters are fully considering all defensive players. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Patrick Surtain II, was an exception, as he plays in the secondary. In light of the current finalists, it’s clear that edge rushers dominate the conversation.
Interestingly, when the same group of Associated Press voters ranked players for the All-Pro team, they placed Hutchinson sixth and Bonitto seventh among pass rushers. It seems strange that players are seen as lesser at their position but still among the best in the league overall.
Looking ahead, it’s highly likely that Garrett will win once the NFL Honors are announced. However, it’s almost certain that voters will not recognize other vital defensive roles like interior linemen or secondary players this year.
For a deeper understanding of the ongoing discussions about defensive accolades and player recognition, consider this recent report from ESPN. As the season progresses, the debate around the importance of various defensive roles continues, and it will be intriguing to see how these trends evolve in future seasons.
