Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett feels like it would mean a little extra to set the single-season sack record against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Allen is the reigning MVP and one of the toughest quarterbacks to take down in the league thanks to his size and mobility. Garrett sits at 21.5 sacks, needing one more to tie the record held jointly by Michael Strahan and TJ Watt.
Strahan set the record by taking down Brett Favre and Garrett sees similarities with Allen.
“Absolutely. I mean, he’s a gunslinger himself, so he’s the kind of guy that, I guess you would say, Mike got those years ago,” Garrett said. “I think it’s a bit of a funny comparison because those guys have similar styles and me and Mike have been compared before. It would mean a lot to go against him because he’s very special and I have a lot of admiration for what he can do with a football.”
Browns Star Myles Garrett Respects the Legends
Garrett has already cemented his place in history. But the former top pick has been careful about discussing his place in history, showing respect for the greats who came before him.
“They paved the way. I’m standing on the shoulders of giants. I wouldn’t be the player that I am without the Von Millers. Go as far back as, you know, Deacon Jones, LT (Lawrence Taylor), Reggie White — all those guys and many more. I grew up watching them and taking things for them,” Garrett said. “And you can’t compare our game to them. It’s dramatically different. And so are the rules and the things that we’re allowed to do and that we’re privy to now, they just didn’t have the access to that. And it goes both ways. So, comparing generations and decades is fun. It’s a cool discussion to have. But just being able to play dominant football, that’s all I want to do.”
Garrett clarified that his goal is to be the best of his generation.
I want to be the best of my generation because I can only speak for this generation of players and what we’re able to go through and who we’re able to challenge and beat,” Garrett said. “At the end of the day, everything else is just hearsay and conjecture.”
Myles Garrett Reflects on ‘Tough Season’
Garrett has racked up stats and will likely add a second Defensive Player of the Year trophy to his mantle. But the Browns are 3-11 and have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Garrett demanded a trade this offseason, saying he wanted to play for a contender. Eventually, he agreed to a four-year, $160 million contract extension, keeping him in Cleveland. But the Browns are no closer to competing for a Super Bowl, despite his individual effort. But he’s happy to give the fans something to cheer for amid a rough year.
“I’ve been here for years where I wanted to see more, and then I’ve also been here for a couple of years in which this place has been really packed, and I was just ecstatic to be a part of an environment like that,” Garrett said. “And we want to continue to make them proud however I can, and we can. And keep on putting butts in seats and putting smiles on faces.”
He’ll look to do that again against the Bills with a record-setting sack.
Browns’ Myles Garrett Delivers Clear Message to Bills QB Josh Allen