Myles Garrett’s debut game with the Los Angeles Rams — and the team’s play, in general — left much to be desired, and the superstar defensive end didn’t hold back on his performance in their loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
“This was the worst version of myself that I’ve put out there,” Garrett said in his postgame press conference after the Rams’ 27-7 defeat. “And I’ve got to be better. I 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.”
Garrett finished the NFC West matchup without a tackle.
Garrett, whom the Rams acquired from the Cleveland Browns in a blockbuster trade in June, also admitted he wasn’t at “100%” health wise, as the defensive end has been dealing with a knee issue over the last month.
“I wasn’t the player that I wanted to be,” Garrett expressed. “I didn’t feel like I was the player I’ve been before when I stepped onto that field. I got to do what I can to get back to that.”
Garrett and the Rams took part in what was the first-ever NFL game in Australia. A topic of conversation regarding the historic game in Melbourne was the 49ers showing up roughly one week before kickoff, while the Rams arrived roughly 28 hours before kickoff, which was at 10:35 a.m. local time.
As for other team debuts, cornerback and 2023 All-Pro Trent McDuffie — whom Los Angeles acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs for a package highlighted by the No. 29 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a 2027 third-round pick, among other selections, in March — totaled four combined tackles, including one for a loss, and two passes defended.
Meanwhile, star defensive lineman and eight-time All-Pro Aaron Donald, who recently returned after two years away from the game, is likely to make his season debut in the Rams’ Week 2 home game against the New York Giants on Sept. 21.
As a whole, the 49ers rushed for 174 yards on 5.8 yards per carry against the Rams, who were collectively outgained 379-290 in total yards and gave up three passing touchdowns to quarterback Brock Purdy. In his postgame press conference, Rams head coach Sean McVay called the loss “a humbling day.”
Los Angeles traded now-third-year defensive end and two-time Pro Bowler Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-rounder and a 2029 third-rounder to Cleveland to acquire Garrett, a five-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler.
Last season (2025), the now-30-year-old Garrett set the NFL single-season record with 23.0 sacks and has two NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors on his résumé, in 2023 and 2025. He’s tied with Dwight Freeney for 28th in all-time registered sacks (125.5). Prior to Garrett’s 23-sack campaign, he averaged 13.6 sacks per season from 2018-24. Should Garrett rack up 14 sacks this season, he would move into a tie for 11th all-time in the category.
