Myles Garrett Reveals Troubling Reason Behind Quiet Rams Debut

Myles Garrett takes responsibility for his poor display in Rams debut.

Myles Garrett Reveals Troubling Reason Behind Quiet Rams Debut

Myles Garrett (Image via Yahoo Sports)

Myles Garrett’s much-anticipated debut for the Los Angeles Rams ended in disappointment. Garrett had an underwhelming outing as the Rams suffered an opening-day defeat against rivals the San Francisco 49ers.

More than 100,000 people filled the iconic MCG in Melbourne for Australia’s first-ever NFL regular-season game. It also marked Garrett’s first-ever game in the blue of the Rams.

However, the Niners’ offensive line of Trent Williams, Dominick Puni, and Colton McKivitz made life difficult for Garrett. Williams in particular fended off the 30-year-old edge rusher on several occasions.

Garrett finished with zero tackles and did not land a single hit on the 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. It was the fourth time in his NFL career that Garrett has failed to record any tackles in a game.

This was the worst version of myself that I’ve put out there. I’ve got to be better. I’ve got to find a way to recover and get back to the player I know I can be, and I’ve shown that I’ve been before.

Myles Garrett said during the post-game presser

Garrett did not play in preseason and missed a chunk of offseason practice due to a recurring knee issue. He was wary of it the entire time.

When I was out there I was a little more focused on myself and trying to stay healthy than [on] what they were doing, and it showed. I wasn’t what I needed to be for my team.

The Rams mocked the Niners after recording an interception in the first quarter with a sleep celebration. However, experts argued they were the ones who looked sluggish later on. Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw his first INT of the year, he had 8 in 2025. The defense gave up double-digit points. The game ended in a 27-7 defeat. It was the first time in the Stafford era that the Rams had scored fewer than 10 points.

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Did the small acclimatization period affect Myles Garrett and the Rams’ performance in Australia?

Analysts blamed the Rams’ travel plans. Unlike the Niners, who flew to Australia a week earlier, the Rams made the 16-hour journey just a day before kick-off at the MCG. The Rams said it was a tried-and-tested method, having sent more than 10 people over the last three seasons to test their theory. Unfortunately, they were the second-best team on the day.

Myles Garrett Reveals Troubling Reason Behind Quiet Rams Debut
Sean McVay and #95 Myles Garrett (Image via Yahoo Sports)

Garrett didn’t think arriving a day before the game played a big role in the outcome.

I wasn’t the player I wanted to be; I didn’t feel like I was the player I’ve been before when I stepped onto that field. I’ve got to do what I can to get back to that.

Garrett said

49ers wide receiver Mike Evans was shocked to learn that the Rams had arrived just a day before the game.

Oh dang. I mean you gotta give your body time to adjust. Obviously whenever the game is scheduled you gotta be ready to play, but maybe a few days earlier would have been ideal.

Evans said at the post-game presser

Aaron Donald did not travel. The Super Bowl winner, who recently came out of retirement to re-sign an extension, stayed behind in LA to continue his conditioning.

Up next, the Rams host the New York Giants. After that, they have three massive fixtures against the Denver Broncos, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Buffalo Bills.

The Rams traded for Garrett in the offseason. They sent edge Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for the reigning defensive player.

Garrett spent nine seasons with the Browns. In 134 games, he accumulated 412 tackles, 125.5 sacks, 149 TFLs, 18 pass deflections, 23 forced fumbles, 6 forced returns, and one touchdown. In 2025, Garrett set the single-season sack record with 23, which he plans to break.

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