Myles Garrett sets sights on sack record amid fierce competition
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is on the brink of making history. With just one sack needed, he stands poised to become the all-time leader in sacks for a single NFL season. Achieving this milestone would allow him to eclipse the legendary Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt, who will be on the opposing sideline when the Browns face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17.
Garrett’s aspirations extend beyond the immediate season. He envisions a Hall of Fame career, and during a recent media session, he shared his thoughts on when he might hang up his cleats. “Yeah, I think five years is right at that time to take out, go ahead and hang the cleats up,” he remarked. “So, I do think about if I can do it, and I think I’m only getting better. I think the numbers are only pertained to look similar to how they are right now. So, I’ll be knocking on his door pretty soon.”
The quest for the all-time sack record
Garrett’s current sack total stands at 124.5, placing him third among active players. He is chasing the all-time NFL sack record held by Bruce Smith, who accumulated 200 sacks over 19 seasons, predominantly with the Buffalo Bills. Garrett, however, is determined to achieve this feat in just 14 years, driven by his five-year plan.
In the race for the record, he finds himself trailing Cameron Jordan of the New Orleans Saints, who has 130 sacks, and Von Miller of the Washington Commanders, who leads with 137.5. Given his current performance trajectory, Garrett is likely to surpass both players in the upcoming season.
A rivalry redefined
As Garrett aims to break records, he is set to face Watt, who is currently sidelined due to a collapsed lung. Despite the proximity of their careers and the media narrative surrounding a rivalry, Garrett downplays any sense of competition between the two. “I think the guys around here have that more in their minds about the rivalry, whether it’s him and I or the Browns and the Steelers taking it from them than I do,” he stated. “I just want to go get it to say that I got it because I feel like that’s what I’m capable of.”
Garrett’s journey is not just about personal accolades; it’s a pursuit of greatness that intertwines with the legacy of the game. As he continues to push the boundaries of performance, the football world watches eagerly, anticipating the moment he might seize the record that has eluded so many before him.
