‘The Sack King’ Crowned: Myles Garrett Shatters NFL Single-Season Sack Record

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has etched his name in NFL history, breaking the single-season sack record in the final game of the regular season. The dominant pass rusher achieved this monumental feat against the Cincinnati Bengals, surpassing legendary figures Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.

Key Takeaways

• Myles Garrett set a new NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks.
• He surpassed the previous record of 22.5 sacks held by Michael Strahan and matched by T.J. Watt.
• Garrett has recorded double-digit sacks in eight consecutive seasons.
• He was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.

A Record-Breaking Performance

Garrett entered Week 17 trailing the previous record of 22.5 sacks by half a sack. The record was originally set by New York Giants’ Michael Strahan in the 2001/02 season and later matched by Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt in 2021/22. Garrett’s historic moment came in the fourth quarter of the Browns’ 20-18 victory over the Bengals, when he brought down quarterback Joe Burrow with just over five minutes remaining, securing his 23rd sack of the season.

A Career of Dominance

Selected as the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Garrett has been a consistent force for the Browns. He has achieved double-digit sacks in an impressive eight straight campaigns. In 2023, he was recognized as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. His career sack total now stands at 125.5, the second-most by any player in their first nine seasons since 1982. Garrett is also the first player in NFL history to record at least 12 sacks in six consecutive seasons.

His record-breaking season was punctuated by several standout performances, including a five-sack game against the New England Patriots and a four-sack outing against the Baltimore Ravens.

Garrett’s Reaction and Coach’s Praise

Garrett expressed his elation, stating, "It was everything I expected. It was so tough. I knew they were going to make it difficult… I just knew that if I did, I’d have to make that moment count. The feeling couldn’t be better." He added, "Find your dreams come true. Been waiting on this my whole life, my whole football career. I knew I had it in me." He also humorously noted his ambition for even more sacks, aiming for 25 next season.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski lauded Garrett’s achievement, crowning him the "sack king." Stefanski remarked, "That’s history. He’s the sack king. That’s unbelievable." He emphasized the difficulty of Garrett’s accomplishment this season and suggested he could even be considered for MVP, stating, "You could make him the MVP if I had a vote."

Epitome of Consistency

Analysts have highlighted Garrett’s unwavering consistency throughout his career. His dedication to physical conditioning and his ability to consistently make game-changing plays, even on a team that has faced challenges, have been widely praised. His record-breaking season is seen as the ultimate testament to his sustained excellence.