Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns
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Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns
Maybe there is something to be said about the fact that, after amassing 21.5 sacks in his first 14 games this season, Cleveland Browns star pass-rusher Myles Garrett needed three games to get the final 1.5 sacks that got him past the all-time record and capped his historic season.
By keeping Garrett off the quarterback in those final games, the Browns’ opponents might well have only made it easier for Garrett–who looked like he’d get 25 sacks for most of the season–to come back in 2026 and break his own record.
At least, that seems to be how Garrett sees it. In a conversation with Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons, who is probably the player with the best opportunity on hand to break the new record, Garrett said he intends to top his own mark before Parsons can. Parsons underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in December and will miss the beginning of next season.
Myles Garrett: ‘It Is Still Currently My Time’
Sitting with Parsons–his good friend and offseason workout partner–for his live podcast for Bleacher Report last week, the topic of the record was brought up to Garrett.
Parsons warned that he could break the record once he gets healthy. “That record is only going to stand so long,” Parsons pointed out.
“It is still currently my time,” said Garrett, who is 30. Parsons is 26.
But Parsons pointed out that the last record was tied by Michael Strahan in 2001, and stood for 25 years. Garrett’s record might not last that long. “Records are meant to be broken,” Parsons said. “Next man, 25 years—it might just take me two years.”
To which Garrett smiled and said the record will be different when parsons returns to play a whole season in 2027. In fact, Garrett made an outlandish claim: He will be break it again here in 2026. “I mean, it’s going to take me … one. You take your time, I am going to break it again,” he said
Browns Changes Could Have a Bad Effect
Browns fans will take that, certainly. Of course, it’s no guarantee. Garrett will have to stay healthy for all 17 games, and the Browns will need to make some good, fast progress on retooling the team’s defense, which lost top coordinator Jim Schwartz in the offseason after Schwartz was not named the team’s head coach. The guy who got the job, Todd Monken, will need to find a Schwartz replacement.
Garrett credits Schwartz with his development in the past three seasons. Garrett was a star before Schwartz arrived, but his scheme helped Garrett raise his level, winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and again this season.
“I don’t think I get two DPOYs without Jim. He helped mold my potential as a player to put me into a scheme and a system that fit me well and enabled me to do what I do best—pin my ears back, rush the passer,” Garrett said. “Attack the front. You see the front, you attack it. See ball, get ball.
“And for us as edge rushers, that’s the easiest way to play. Once you make us start going lateral, that’s what the offense wants. They want to be able to mess with our eyes, have different options. You slow our feet down, you’re taking away one of our advantages. We’re smaller than the guys we’re going against. So, do we get there? I mean, it’s about the guys we’ve got in the building. So, we’ve all got to be pointed in the right direction. We’ve got to all understand the mission and take it with urgency.”