CLEVELAND, Ohio — The gauntlet has been thrown down for Myles Garrett. Entering his ninth NFL season, Cleveland’s defensive superstar faces unprecedented expectations that extend beyond sacks and tackles.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam didn’t mince words after Garrett’s $40 million per year extension and public trade demand earlier this year: step up as a leader.
“Jimmy Haslam at the owner’s meetings and after Myles’ $40 million (per year) extension and after his very public trade demand, Jimmy asked him to become a much better leader on this football team,” Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot explained on the Orange and Brown Talk podcast.
That’s only half of Garrett’s challenge. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz raised the bar even higher, demanding Garrett’s “best career season” in 2025.
The leadership component might prove the more difficult hurdle. Garrett’s leadership style has traditionally been more lead-by-example than vocal presence. But when you become the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player after questioning your team’s culture and winning potential, the expectations shift dramatically.
His absence from voluntary OTAs this spring raised eyebrows in Cleveland.
“I would argue, not to harp on attendance at voluntary practices, but for the sake of this discussion, let’s harp on attendance at voluntary practices, I would say, I think in that way, Myles is not off to the best start this year, shockingly,” noted Browns beat reporter Ashley Bastock.
Leadership questions aside, what would a “career-best season” actually look like for someone with Garrett’s impressive statistical consistency?
Dan Labbe points out the missing piece in Garrett’s resume: “There is still that one marquee season almost missing from Myles Garrett on that Pro Football Reference page.”
While Garrett has been remarkably consistent — racking up between 10 and 16 sacks each season — he hasn’t yet had that jaw-dropping, record-threatening campaign that puts him in the conversation with the NFL’s all-time defensive greats.
T.J. Watt tying the single-season sack record (22.5) or Aaron Donald’s 20.5-sack season from 2018 represent the type of dominant performance that could cement Garrett’s legacy. Beyond raw sack numbers, true defensive dominance comes through game-changing plays — more forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, batted passes, and tackles for loss.
The ultimate achievement that continues to elude Garrett? Postseason success. His counterparts like Von Miller and Donald have cemented their legacies with championship-defining moments.
For Garrett to truly answer the challenges laid before him, he’ll need to evolve into a more vocal presence in the locker room while producing statistical dominance that can’t be ignored. The pressure is immense, but so is the opportunity.
As Cabot pointed out: “I do think that he could do a little bit more with tackles for losses, quarterback hits, everything. I think he’s got another gear in him, and I think that so many times I’ve heard his position coaches, defensive coordinators, say that he has more in him.”
The 2025 season represents Garrett’s chance to prove them right—on and off the field.
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