Myles Garrett reflects on missed opportunity for record
Cleveland Browns defensive star Myles Garrett left the field after a hard-fought 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills, feeling a mix of personal disappointment and determination. Despite securing a half-sack, Garrett found himself just half a sack shy of tying the coveted single-season record held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. This game marked Garrett’s impressive ninth consecutive contest with a quarterback takedown, yet the record eluded him in a moment he had hoped would be special.
A personal drive for family
Following the game, Garrett expressed his heartfelt regret for not breaking the record in front of his family. “For my family. I wanted to get it for them, have some family show up,” he reflected, acknowledging the emotional weight of the moment. “They felt like it was going to be the game in the moment, and so definitely want to give them something to smile about.”
However, Garrett is not one to let personal accolades overshadow the team’s needs. “For me, I always keep the main thing, the main thing. I want to win,” he emphasized, recognizing the broader context of the game. He assessed the team’s performance, noting, “It’s a close game, we were a little bit too lax in the run, a little step behind and not as physical as we needed to be.” He added, “The record’s great, but the team record is what keeps me up at night. The sack record, it’ll be there.”
Leadership amidst challenges
Garrett’s leadership shines through, especially in a season where the Browns find themselves at a challenging 3-12, well outside the playoff picture. He remains focused on winning as the team approaches the final two games of the season. This commitment to team success is what makes him invaluable to the franchise.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski praised Garrett’s mindset, stating, “We don’t talk a lot about it when we’re in the building and we’re getting ready to play; that’s really not our focus. It’s not Myles’ focus. He’s trying to just play good football to help the team win.”
Looking ahead to the future
With two games remaining in the season, Garrett has the opportunity to match or even break the longstanding sack record. If he maintains his current performance level, the possibility of achieving his goal is within reach.
The Browns are in the midst of developing young talent on both sides of the ball, which has contributed to their disappointing record this year. However, if Garrett continues to prioritize winning, he could help foster a culture that the Browns can build upon. This foundation could be crucial in their quest to contend in the competitive AFC.
Garrett and the Browns will have their next chance to shine against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17, with kickoff scheduled for Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET at Huntington Bank Field.
