Myles Garrett just made NFL history, becoming only the third player to win Defensive Player of the Year and then play the very next season with a new team. But here’s the kicker: he is the *only one* to do it via trade. Deion Sanders and Dana Stubblefield, the other two DPOY winners who changed jerseys, both moved as free agents. Garrett is coming off an NFL record-setting season, and the pressure on him to deliver in his new Rams uniform is absolutely massive.
Prime Time’s Unbelievable 1994
Let’s rewind to Deion Sanders’ 1994 DPOY season. It was the stuff of legends, even for Prime Time. Surprisingly, it was his *only* DPOY award, despite setting the standard for defenders. He racked up six interceptions that year, returning them for a league-high 303 yards. A third of his incredible nine career pick-sixes came in that single season, including an insane 93-yard score. Sanders even finished third in MVP voting, right behind his 49ers teammates Steve Young (who won it) and Jerry Rice. That trio led the Niners to a 49-26 demolition of the Chargers in the Super Bowl. You truly couldn’t ask for a better defensive season.
The Dip, The Ring, and The Diamond
So, what happened after that legendary year? From 1992 to 1998, Sanders was a first-team All-Pro in six of those seven seasons. The 1995 season, immediately following his DPOY win, was the *only* time in that entire span he missed out on All-Pro recognition or even a Pro Bowl nod. His numbers took a dip, too, with a then-career-low 26 combined tackles and just two interceptions in nine games. But get this: none of that seemed to matter! Sanders went on to win his *second straight* Super Bowl title, this time with the Dallas Cowboys. Talk about recapturing magic! And here’s the wild card: he was traded to the Giants in July 1995 and played 52 games with their baseball club that season. He slashed .285/.346/.444, hitting 9 doubles, 5 triples, 5 homers, and 18 RBI in 214 at-bats. Let’s see Garrett pull *that* off!
While Sanders might not have posted his DPOY-level stats with his new team, he still helped the Cowboys hoist the Lombardi Trophy. The Rams would be incredibly fortunate if Myles Garrett follows that same championship path this season, even if his sack totals see a slight drop. Everyone’s watching to see if Garrett can translate his record-setting year into immediate team success, just like Prime Time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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