The Los Angeles Rams made a blockbuster trade on June 1 to acquire superstar edge pass rusher Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns. Garrett is expected to have a huge impact on the Rams’ defense, but that didn’t happen in the first game with his new team to open the 2026 NFL regular season. The three-time reigning Sporting News Defensive Player of the Year had a quiet Friday afternoon against the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers, halfway around the world in Melbourne, Australia. Garrett didn’t have a sack or even a recorded tackle as the 49ers romped, 27-7. While 15 other Rams did have a tackle, Garrett was a non-factor in disrupting San Francisco’s game plan. Here’s breaking down how he was rendered a non-factor in a huge early division game:
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How the 49ers succeeded against Myles Garrett Garrett (6-foot-4, 272 pounds) was often trying to pressure the 49ers’ quarterback Brock Purdy while trying to get through all-time great left tackle Trent Williams (6-5, 320).
Williams owned the matchup with his superior size and lockstep athleticism. There was no way Garrett would be able to bull rush and use his strength to beat Williams. When Garrett tried to spin, Williams shifted well to make sure he wasn’t beaten wide.
Williams had experience vs. Garrett when the 49ers played the Browns in 2023. In that game, Garrett had only one hit on Purdy. This time, Garrett didn’t get any hits on Purdy and by the mid fourth-quarter, he was sitting out snaps from being fatigued over the first three quarters. The 49ers also removed any potential Garrett impact by building a big lead in the second half. Beyond trusting their future Hall of Fame pass protector to secure Purdy’s blindside, the 49ers adjusted to neutralize Garrett with a quick short-to-intermediate passing game and having all blockers on deck to dominate in the running game. Once they wore down Garrett and the Rams’ 3-4 front with an effective rushing attack, Purdy saw more open up in the downfield passing game, at which he excels.
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When Garrett tried the other side, the 49ers gave right tackle Colton McKivitz help with the tight ends and fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Garrett tried his best to explode toward Purdy, but his path was never clear. MORE: Latest injury updates on rookie WR De’Zhaun Stribling
Why the Rams shouldn’t worry about Myles Garrett Garrett was only one half of the offseason defensive splash on the Rams’ front. The other is fellow future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald coming out of retirement to boost the team at tackle. Donald was inactive for Week 1, just getting back up to roster speed after a three-plus-year layoff. Donald is expected to be activated for the Week 2 game, which will be played 10 days later when the Rams host the Giants on “Monday Night Football” on Sept. 21.
Donald operating in front of Garrett at defensive tackle will make it more difficult to slow down Garrett, along with Kobie Turner inside and Byron Young outside. Garrett also won’t be facing Williams until the 49ers host the Rams on Dec. 13 in Week 14. He will have a lot more success against Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas.
It will go back to a tougher matchup vs. Garrett Bolles and former 49er Mike McGlinchey.
With the Browns, Garrett ripped into many opponents to rack up an NFL-record 23 sacks last season. Not many teams have the blocking, quarterbacking, offensive skill and play-calling of the 49ers. It’s easy to believe Garrett already just had his worst game as a Ram, with only his pass-rushing and run-stuffing best to come.
