What happened: NFL Network analyst Marc Ross publicly projected Myles Garrett to win the 2026 NFL Most Valuable Player award. The projection highlights the growing industry belief that an elite pass rusher could finally generate enough statistical impact to sway voters away from quarterbacks. Garrett enters the upcoming campaign looking to build on his established reputation as one of the most disruptive defensive forces in football.

Why it matters: Quarterbacks have won twelve consecutive NFL MVP awards, making any defensive candidacy an uphill climb that demands historic pass rush production. However, Garrett possesses the rare combination of double team win rates, consistent sack volume, and game wrecking pressure that voters look for in an outlier candidate. If any modern defender has the week to week dominance required to command Most Valuable Player consideration over elite offensive talent, it is Garrett.