Myles Garrett is off to the NFC as the new heir apparent to Aaron Donald with the Los Angeles Rams.
As for the crown of top pass-rusher in the AFC? With Garrett’s departure, that title more than likely belongs with Houston Texans All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr.
Yes, even Garrett would have to agree that the former No. 3 overall pick has taken over the top spot as the No. 1 guy coming off the edge. After all, the two had become close since he entered the NFL in 2023, even spending the offseasons working out and building a friendship.
So when asked if he was surprised that Garrett was moved out of the AFC for linebacker Jared Verse and three draft picks, Anderson seemed less shocked compared to most of the public.
“I was crazy because it’s been an ongoing conversation when we worked out,” Anderson said following OTA practice on Tuesday. “We had just spent some time together and were hanging out. I think Myles is a great guy. He’s put so much into this game, put so much into the Cleveland Browns’ organization. He gave it his all. I’m happy for the opportunity he has, it’s a new start somewhere. I know he’s going to be the same Myles so huge shoutout to him, huge congrats to him.”
Shipped off across the country, Garrett will hopefully become the piece that gets Los Angeles back to the Super Bowl in 2028 at SoFi Stadium. In return for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year, the Browns received a first-round draft pick in 2027, a second-round pick in 2028 and a third-rounder in 2029.
Since being drafted out of Texas A&M in 2017, Garrett has broken records. Over the past nine seasons, Garrett ranks first nationally in sacks (125.5), pressures (413) and tackles for loss (149), second in QB hits (239) and third in forced fumbles (23).
Meanwhile, Anderson is on a similar path to that of Garrett to begin his NFL tenure. In three seasons, Anderson has notched 30 sacks, 46 tackles for loss and 64 QB hits, all of which rank among the top 10 in every metric during that span. From an upside perspective, there isn’t a better pass-rusher that Anderson who has yet to reach his full form.
“I feel like he hasn’t even tapped into the level that he really wants to tap into and that’s the scary part,” cornerback Kamari Lassiter said.
Anderson is happy his friend will now compete for a Super Bowl title in Los Angeles, but more than anything, he’s beyond ecstatic that the AFC belongs to him.
“I told him, ‘I’m happy you’re leaving the AFC,'” Anderson said with a chuckle. “He can go somewhere else. But, I’m super excited for him.”
The Texans return to OTA practice on Thursday in front of the media.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: ‘I’m happy he’s out of the AFC!’: Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. weighs in on Myles Garrett trade
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
