NFL Executives Have Spoken, Myles Garrett is Midseason Defensive MVP

The Browns' defensive end took home some hardware in Albert Breer's annual poll of NFL Executives to determine midseason awards winners

Each year, Sports Illustrated writer Albert Breer polls NFL executives to vote on the league's midseason awards. 

Breer's pool of voters consists of General Managers, assistant GMs, vice presidents, directors of player personnel and pro scouting directions. This group of people has to have eyes on the entire league as the season goes on.

From that group, Breer had 39 ballots returned to him to name award winners for Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year. 

At the halfway mark of the year, it was Browns' defensive end Myles Garrett taking home the award for Defensive Player of the Year. For what it's worth, the poll was not particularly close either. 

Sep 24, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates a sack with defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Garrett received 23 votes, with Cowboys' outside linebacker Micah Parsons and Steelers' outside linebacker TJ Watt each receiving six votes respectively. Joining the group of also receiving votes was Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby with four.

All four of those guys are worthy candidates but Myles Garrett certainly stands above the rest. Garrett is the leader of the number one defense in the NFL and is a big reason why they are in the top spot.

So far this season, Garrett has registered 9.5 sacks and is pace to shatter his current single-season record of 16. He also has 25 total tackles,  18 quarterback pressures, eight tackles for loss, a career-high four forced fumbles, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery. Don't forget to add a blocked field goal to that résumé as well.

Not only is Garrett the leader of this Browns defense, but he has become the focal point of it. For the first time in his career it feels like the defense is built around No. 95, where his defensive line-mates are either opening him up for big places or vice versa.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is brought down by Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (right) during the first half Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. Browns 14 :: © Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Browns have weathered some serious injuries to get to 5-3 on the season and are very much in playoff contention in large part to Garrett. If he continues on the trajectory he's on this season, he may be earning more than mid-season defensive player of the year recognition.