Getty
Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett was recently named the Defensive Player of the Year.
Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua took a subtle shot at Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett on Friday following his Defensive Player of the Year win.
Garrett unanimously won his second AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award on Thursday, receiving all 50 first-place votes for a total of 500 points. It came after a year where Garrett set the NFL single-season sack record. He took down Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in Week 17 to notch his 23rd sack, moving past the previous mark of 22.5 that was held jointly by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.
In his speech, Garrett thanked his teammates and the entire Browns organization.
“(It doesn’t) start with me,” Garrett said. “It starts with great teammates, great organization, great coaches for being able to put us in position. I’m thankful for every single one of my teammates to help get me up here. It’s not possible without them, their blood, their sweat, their tears, everything that we went through, I’m appreciative of that fellas.”
Nacua Compares Browns DE Myles Garrett to Giannis Antetokounmpo
Nacua poked a little fun at Garrett after his speech, referencing that the powerful pass-rusher is just a year removed from demanding a trade, saying he wanted to play for a contender. Garrett eventually settled his gripe with the Browns and signed a four-year, $160 million extension. Nacua compared it to NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is a popular figure in trade chatter.
“It’s like, ‘Ah I hate it. Oh, I don’t want to be here.’ And then, ‘Hey, look, I’m back, guys,’” Nacua said on The Pat McAfee Show.
Despite making the media rounds, Garrett has yet to comment publicly on the hiring of Todd Monken as the team’s next head coach. He said at the end of the season he’d be committed to the Browns as long as they show a desire to be a contender.
“I’m committed to winning, and long as the team organization are doing so and they’re committed to that same thing, then I’m all on board,” Garrett said in early January. “But if we’re thinking anything other than winning – tanking or rebuilding, that’s not me.”
Browns Confident Myles Garrett Returns Despite Schwartz Fallout
The Browns learned on Thursday that defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz would not be returning, despite being under contract for two more seasons. The team confirmed that Schwartz resigned in a statement on Friday.
“Jim Schwartz submitted his letter of resignation as defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns. We’d like to thank Jim for his contributions to our organization over the last three seasons,” the team said. “Our search for a new defensive coordinator will begin immediately.”
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam expressed confidence that Garrett would remain content despite the changes.
“Listen, I love Myles, OK?” Haslam said. “I haven’t talked to him since the day after the season, but I’m highly confident Myles will come in here and break the sack record again and be the Defensive Player (of the Year).”
The Browns finished last season 5-12 and are still in search of a long-term solution at quarterback.
J.R. DeGroote JR DeGroote is a staff writer for Heavy.com, where he has covered the NFL, NBA, and trending sports stories since 2019. His work focuses on some of the most passionate fanbases in sports, including reporting on the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers. More about J.R. DeGroote
More Heavy on Browns
Loading more stories