Byron Young is aiming for the top, and he just told the world who his blueprint is. He’s entering his fourth NFL season with a clear benchmark in mind, and that benchmark just landed right next to him in the locker room: Myles Garrett. The Rams pulled off a blockbuster offseason trade for Garrett, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and the NFL’s single-season sack record holder, sending Jared Verse to Cleveland. Now, Young, who previously teamed up with Verse to power Los Angeles to the NFC Championship Game last season, is treating Garrett as both a locker room neighbor and a personal mentor. He’s not just talking, folks; he’s actively chasing greatness.
Mentorship on the Edge: The DPOY Effect
Young isn’t just excited to have Garrett around; he’s leveraging every moment. He’s soaking up knowledge like a sponge, picking Garrett’s brain on everything from rush plans to advanced pass-rush concepts. During meetings and walkthroughs, Young is firing off questions about Garrett’s approach and mentality. This isn’t just about technical tweaks; it’s about internalizing the mindset of a true game-wrecker. Young told The Athletic’s Nate Atkins, “I need to get to All-Pro. I want to be one of those crunch-time situation guys. Someone like Myles Garrett.” That’s a bold statement, but if anyone can show him the way, it’s Garrett.
The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
Young is coming off a Pro Bowl season where he notched 12 sacks, adding to his 27.5 sacks over his first three years in the league. That’s reliable production, but he’s after more now. Garrett shared a key insight with Young: he’s never had a pass-rush rep where he didn’t believe he could get to the quarterback, even when facing chips, slides, or triple teams designed specifically to stop him. Young said internalizing that kind of relentless mentality has been just as valuable as any technical adjustment he’s picked up. He sees it, “He gets chipped and he gets the slide. He gets triple-teamed and he still has the mindset of, ‘I’m going to beat that.’ And he still beats that. He always has a plan.” Imagine that kind of unwavering confidence!
Head coach Sean McVay is already raving about Young’s versatility, highlighting his ability to play multiple techniques across the defensive front. McVay noted, “He can create on his own. He does a great job on some of the two- and three-man games where he’s a tight wrapper, looper. He’s got position flex.” This season, with Garrett now drawing immense extra protection on the opposite edge, Young is projected to see far more favorable rush opportunities. These are the kinds of matchups that could absolutely push him from being a dependable Pro Bowler to the All-Pro caliber player he’s so clearly chasing. This could be the season Young takes that massive leap, and the entire NFC West needs to be on high alert.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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