ESPN just made a stunning prediction about Myles Garrett's first Rams season
Rodney KnuppelWed, July 1, 2026 at 3:31 PM UTC·3 min readESPN just made a stunning prediction about Myles Garrett's first Rams season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Myles Garrett has already built one of the most dominant resumes of any defensive player in the NFL, but ESPN believes his first season with the Los Angeles Rams could be even better than anything he accomplished in Cleveland.
AdvertisementAdvertisementIn its annual list of bold predictions for the 2026 NFL season, ESPN projected that Garrett will reach the 20-sack mark for the second consecutive year, a feat that would further cement his place among the league's most feared pass rushers. Considering Garrett is joining a Rams defense that already features plenty of disruptive talent, it's a prediction that could quickly become a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
Why Myles Garrett could be even more dangerous in Los Angeles
Garrett arrives in Los Angeles after one of the biggest trades of the offseason, ending his long run with the Cleveland Browns. While changing teams often comes with an adjustment period, ESPN argued the move could actually unlock another level of production.
The reasoning is simple. Instead of carrying the burden of generating pressure almost entirely on his own, Garrett now joins a defense capable of creating one-on-one opportunities across the front. Offensive lines won't be able to devote the same amount of attention to stopping him on every snap, something he routinely faced during his time in Cleveland.
If that happens, Garrett could find himself with even more favorable matchups than he's seen in years.
Chasing another 20-sack season
Recording 20 sacks in back-to-back seasons is extraordinarily rare. It requires not only elite talent, but also durability, consistency and the ability to finish plays week after week against the NFL's best offensive tackles.
Garrett has already proven he possesses those qualities. The former No. 1 overall pick has been one of football's premier defensive players for nearly a decade, combining explosive athleticism with refined pass-rushing technique that few edge defenders can match.
AdvertisementAdvertisementESPN believes that combination, paired with his new surroundings, could produce another historic statistical season.
MORE: The bold Patrick Mahomes prediction that will have Chiefs fans furious
Rams betting big on Garrett
The Rams didn't trade for Garrett simply to improve their pass rush—they made the move expecting him to change games. His arrival immediately gives Los Angeles one of the NFL's most intimidating defensive fronts and significantly raises expectations for a team hoping to contend in the NFC.
Garrett has consistently shown he can take over games by himself, whether it's ending drives with strip sacks, forcing hurried throws or completely disrupting an opponent's game plan. If ESPN's prediction comes true, his debut season in Los Angeles won't just be successful—it could become one of the best pass-rushing campaigns the NFL has seen in recent memory.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAnd if Garrett reaches 20 sacks again, the Rams may look back on this offseason as the move that transformed them into legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
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Penn State Says it Has Guaranteed More Than $1 Billion in Future Athletics Revenue
Penn State Says it Has Guaranteed More Than $1 Billion in Future Athletics Revenue
Athletic Director Pat Kraft says Penn State has "one of the strongest financial foundations in college athletics."Mark Wogenrich|
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Penn State Nittany LionsPenn State has developed new business and marketing partnerships generating more than $1 billion in future athletics revenue, according to Athletic Director Pat Kraft. It also has one of the largest debt services in college athletics, the product of an ongoing $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium.
In a letter to Penn State fans recapping the 2025-26 athletics season, Kraft said that Penn State saw record attendance, fundraising and ticket sales during the year. Penn State generated record revenue during the 2024-25 fiscal year, topping $250 million in gross athletics revenue for the first time in school history. Figures for the 2025-26 fiscal year will be available early next year.
Penn State also spent more than $250 million for the first time, largely due to increasing NIL payments and the Beaver Stadium renovation. Penn State reported total athletics-related debt of $534.6 million, one of the nation's highest athletics deficits.
Still, Kraft in his letter painted a positive outlook of Penn State's total athletics health.
"Together, we’ve built one of the strongest financial foundations in college athletics, securing more than $1 billion in guaranteed future revenue while dramatically increasing philanthropic support for our student-athletes and programs," Kraft wrote. "Those aren’t simply milestones. They’re investments in championships. They’re investments in people. And they’re investments in the future of Penn State Athletics."
One chapter closes, another begins. Here's to what's next.#WeAre | A letter from Pat Kraft: https://t.co/z3QVD7RGGU pic.twitter.com/WV2rcLiSvi
— Penn State Athletics (@GoPSUsports) June 30, 2026
Kraft's letter marked not only the begininng of Penn State's 2026-27 athletics year and budget but also his fifth year in charge of the department. Kraft has made sweeping changes during his Penn State term, including the new 10-year apparrel deal with adidas that took effect July 1.
Kraft said the deal, whose total value could reach $300 million over its lifespan, would set an "industry standard" in college athletics. Penn State on Wednesday unveiled its new adidas football uniforms and opened a campus pop-up shop featuring adidas merchandise.
Kraft has conducted a significant overhaul of Penn State's athletics department since becoming athletic director in 2022. He negotiated a 15-year, $50 million deal for the naming rights to the field at Beaver Stadium and signed contracts with a new media rights partner and a new ticketing partner, among many others. The adidas deal represents Kraft's most consequential change.
Penn State also reached a milestone in the Beaver Stadium construction, holding a "topping out" ceremony in June that placed the last beam atop the new West Tower. When complete, the tower will reach a peak of 195 feet.
"Every day, the future of West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium becomes more visible," Kraft wrote in the letter. "After more than 750,000 labor hours, thousands of tons of steel and the topping out of the final beam this June, we’re creating a game day experience worthy of the greatest fans in college sports.
'Expanded concourses, modern amenities, upgraded premium spaces, enhanced technology and improved accessibility will ensure Beaver Stadium remains one of the most iconic and intimidating venues in America for decades to come."
Built for the loudest crowd in college football. 🔊
— Beaver Stadium (@beaver_stadium) June 30, 2026
The new west side is on the way, and we already know the atmosphere is going to be next level.#WeAre pic.twitter.com/liDjE6PpJ3
Penn State also opened its new Jeffrey Field soccer complex last year as well as the bubble training facility that relieves scheduling pressure on Holuba Hall, which multiple programs shared with Penn State football.
"These investments aren’t simply about buildings," Kraft wrote. "They’re about creating an environment where the best coaches want to coach, the best student-athletes want to compete and where every member of our department has the resources to pursue excellence. They reflect
our belief that when you invest in people, extraordinary things happen."
On the field, Penn State finished 23rd in the Learfield Directors' Cup, the annual all-sports award of college athletics. Having publicly suggested Penn State could win four NCAA titles last season, Kraft setteld for one: the fifth straight NCAA team title for Penn State wrestling.
"As proud as we are of what we’ve accomplished together, we’re even more excited about what’s ahead," Kraft wrote. "The future of college athletics is being written today, and Penn State intends to help write it. We have extraordinary student-athletes. Outstanding coaches. Incredible staff. Unmatched facilities. And the greatest fans in college athletics.
"Most importantly, we have a community that believes in something bigger than itself. Thank you for believing in our vision. Thank you for believing in our student-athletes. And thank you for believing in Penn State. The momentum is real. The future is bright. And we’re just getting started."
We Are—and will always be...Penn State.#WeAre \\\ @adidas pic.twitter.com/FBl7qxTuwT
— Penn State Athletics (@GoPSUsports) July 1, 2026
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Published 25 minutes ago
MARK WOGENRICHMark Wogenrich is the editor and publisher of Penn State on SI, the site for Nittany Lions sports on the Sports Illustrated network. He has covered Penn State sports for more than two decades across three coaching staffs, three Rose Bowls and one College Football Playoff appearance.
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