Add The California Post on Google Myles Garrett hasn’t played a single meaningful snap for the Rams yet, but that hasn’t changed NFL fans’ fear of him.
The Rams’ newest defensive wrecking ball was ranked as the third-most feared player in the NFL entering the 2026 season, according to a new survey by BetMGM Sportsbook.
The survey asked 1,800 NFL fans nationwide who the most feared player in the NFL was, and only Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Bills quarterback Josh Allen finished ahead of Garrett.
Rounding out the top 10 were Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Packers linebacker Micah Parsons, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
The poll also ranked the most-desired players in the league, and again Garrett was ranked third behind Mahomes and Allen. Clearly fear comes with a healthy dose of envy as well.
The polls’ findings have an obvious conclusion: If your team is playing against Garrett you fear, but for Rams fans, when he’s wearing your uniform, you’re happy he’s on your team.
The Rams acquired the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winner in a trade with the Browns that sent Jared Verse and three draft picks (including a first-round pick) to Cleveland. Garrett joined an already loaded defense full of young talent after LA came within one possession of reaching the Super Bowl last season.
And if Garrett is the third-most feared player in the NFL, it’s safe to say that after their offseason arms race, the Rams would also be ranked as one of the most feared teams.
BetMGM’s survey didn’t ask fans that specific question, but it asked which NFL team would be the toughest to beat ahead of the 2026 season, and sure enough, the Rams ranked No. 1 ahead of the Chiefs and Eagles.
The Rams were also the fans’ top Super Bowl pick, with 11% of those surveyed backing LA to win the Super Bowl inside its own stadium in 2027.
Preseason surveys don’t win Lombardi trophies, of course, but neither do betting odds, power rankings or analyst expectations.
Fear, however, can be a sign of respect, and before Garrett has even had a chance to show opposing quarterbacks his new uniform yet, the rest of the NFL already appears to understand what’s coming.
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