Myles Garrett Targets Historic Milestones While Prioritizing Cleveland Browns' Success

Myles Garrett, the dominant defensive end for the Cleveland Browns, recently outlined his ambitious career trajectory, including a quest to etch his name in the NFL record books while reaffirming his commitment to team victories. Fresh from a season where he tallied 23 sacks, securing his second Defensive Player of the Year honor, the 30-year-old expressed his intent to chase one of the league's most revered individual benchmarks.

Garrett, widely regarded as the premier defensive talent in professional football, has set his sights on breaking the all-time sack record of 200, currently held by Buffalo Bills Hall of Famer Bruce Smith. With 125.5 career sacks, Garrett is presently tied for 20th on the all-time list with Dwight Freeney, placing him 75 sacks shy of the historic mark. Averaging 15.9 sacks per season throughout his career, Garrett aims to achieve this feat within the next five years, a long-held ambition since his collegiate days.

Beyond the all-time sack record, Garrett is also pursuing J.J. Watt’s single-season record for tackles for loss (TFLs). Watt set the benchmark with 39 TFLs for the Texans in 2012, a figure Garrett nearly matched last season, recording 33 TFLs, the second-highest in recorded history.

Despite his intense focus on individual records, Garrett remains firm on his career longevity, stating unequivocally that he will not play deep into his late 30s, unlike some of his inspirations such as Reggie White. Since entering the league in 2017, Garrett has accumulated the most sacks of any player, cementing his status as a perennial threat. He acknowledges several defensive greats as influences, including Von Miller, a fellow Texas A&M alum, whose pass-rushing technique he deeply admires. Miller's advice to "carve your own way" resonates deeply with Garrett.

The past season saw Garrett break the single-season sack record previously shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt, achieving the milestone against Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in the final game. Following this accomplishment, Garrett shared a near 10-minute conversation with Michael Strahan, exchanging mutual respect. Burrow himself reportedly congratulated Garrett, quipping, "Of course it had to be on me."

Looking ahead, the Cleveland Browns are embarking on a new chapter under recently appointed head coach Todd Monken, formerly the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. Monken led the Ravens’ offense to top-four rankings twice in the past three seasons, including during Lamar Jackson's MVP campaign in 2023. Garrett plans to discuss team strategies with Monken upon his return in a few weeks, emphasizing that winning remains his paramount objective, transcending any individual accolades. He aims to instill this team-first mentality within the defensive unit, stressing the importance of every player contributing positively to victory.

Garrett also offered his insights on Shedeur Sanders, who concluded the season as the Browns’ starting quarterback, posting a 3-4 record over seven starts. Garrett described Sanders as "unflappable," highlighting his consistent self-assuredness and confidence on the field.

When asked to name his Mount Rushmore of pass rushers, Garrett listed Reggie White, Michael Strahan, Bruce Smith, and J.J. Watt, underscoring the pantheon of legends he seeks to join and surpass.