Myles Garrett delivered a stunning performance with a record-setting five sacks during the Cleveland Browns’ loss to the New England Patriots, a result that has significant implications for his career. This achievement not only placed him back in the running for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award but also positioned him for the coveted NFL season sack title.
Garrett’s five sacks, which occurred in the Browns’ 32-13 defeat, increased his season total to ten, marking a pivotal moment as he looks to secure two of his key goals set prior to the season. Following this performance, he is now considered a leading contender for the Defensive Player of the Year, with only Green Bay’s Micah Parsons ahead in betting odds. If he wins this honor, it would mark the second time he has received the accolade in three seasons.
Chasing Historic Records
Garrett’s impressive performance not only bolstered his candidacy for individual awards but also brought him closer to breaking the NFL regular season sack record. He is currently on pace for a career-high 21.0 sacks, surpassing his own club record of 16.0 set in 2021 and matched in 2022. This achievement would place him just 1.5 sacks shy of the single-season record of 22.5, established by Michael Strahan in 2001 and matched by T.J. Watt in 2021.
Before being drafted first overall by the Browns in 2017, Garrett expressed his ambition to dominate the league, stating, “I’ve gotta win Defensive Player of the Year… I want to lead in TFLs (tackle for loss). I want to be dominant from day one.” Having already achieved the Defensive Player of the Year award, he now has a chance to add both the sack title and the single-season record to his accomplishments.
Garrett’s five sacks against the Patriots not only set a new club record for a single game, surpassing his own previous record of 4.5 sacks, but also drew widespread praise from teammates. Left guard Joel Bitonio remarked, “It was special… he’s the best defensive player in the league, best pass rusher.” Defensive end Alex Wright echoed this sentiment, describing Garrett’s performance as “one of one,” highlighting his unique talent and relentless drive.
Aiming for the Top 10
With his latest performance, Garrett surpassed Reggie White for the most sacks by a player under the age of 30, now sitting at 112.5 career sacks. He currently ranks 27th on the official NFL all-time sack list, trailing Richard Dent and John Randle, who are tied for 10th with 137.5 sacks. With several active players ahead of him, including Von Miller and Cam Jordan, Garrett stands a solid chance of breaking into the top 10 by the end of his career.
Garrett attributed his record-breaking performance to the game plan that allowed him more one-on-one opportunities. “They gave me more one-on-ones than some other teams,” he noted. “We also created that by moving me around, putting me in different positions and trying to be unpredictable.”
Despite the personal accolades, Garrett and his teammates expressed disappointment over the loss. Wright lamented, “It’s really frustrating… it’s like somebody in basketball dropping a career high and then just to not leave with a win.” Bitonio shared similar feelings, wishing the team had performed better to celebrate Garrett’s achievement.
As Garrett continues to chase his monumental goals, he remains focused on the future. With the Browns’ bye week approaching, he has the opportunity to regroup and prepare for the remainder of the season. If he maintains his current trajectory, the accolades and records he set out to achieve may soon become a reality.
