Myles Garrett Skips Pro Bowl, Attends NFL Defensive Player of the Year Ceremony

Browns star defensive end to receive second DPOY award after record-setting season

Jan. 31, 2026 at 5:47pm

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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett will not participate in the 2026 Pro Bowl Games in San Francisco, but he will attend the NFL Honors show on Thursday night where he is expected to win his second NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. Garrett set the NFL single-season sack record with 23.0 sacks this past season, breaking the previous mark held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.

Why it matters

Garrett's decision to skip the Pro Bowl Games but attend the NFL Honors ceremony highlights his focus on individual accolades and recognition over exhibition games. As one of the league's premier defensive players, his absence from the Pro Bowl will be notable, but his presence at the DPOY award show underscores the significance of the honor.

The details

Garrett was not listed among the participants for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, which will feature a new format including skills tests and a flag football game. The Browns confirmed Garrett will maintain his status as a Pro Bowl starter for the 2025 season, his seventh selection, but will not actually play in the games. Instead, Garrett will attend the NFL Honors show on Thursday night, where he is the favorite to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career, after previously winning the award in 2023.

  • Garrett set the NFL single season sack record with 23.0 sacks in the 2025 season finale against the Cincinnati Bengons on January 7, 2026.
  • The 2026 Pro Bowl Games will take place on Tuesday, January 31 in San Francisco.
  • The NFL Honors show, where Garrett is expected to win DPOY, will air on Thursday, February 2 in San Francisco.

The players

Myles Garrett

A star defensive end for the Cleveland Browns who set the NFL single-season sack record with 23.0 sacks in 2025, breaking the previous mark held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.

Michael Strahan

Former NFL defensive end who held the previous single-season sack record of 22.5 sacks, set in 2001.

T.J. Watt

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker who tied the single-season sack record of 22.5 sacks in 2021.

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What’s next

Garrett is the favorite to win his second NFL Defensive Player of the Year award at the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday, February 2.

The takeaway

Myles Garrett's decision to skip the Pro Bowl Games in order to attend the NFL Honors show and receive his second Defensive Player of the Year award underscores his individual focus and the significance of the prestigious DPOY honor, which he earned after a record-breaking 23.0 sack season for the Cleveland Browns.