The Cleveland Browns are 11-5 and, with playoff seeding locked up, may rest starters in Week 18. This means the regular season for defensive end Myles Garrett may be over; and what a season it was yet again. The 28-year-old out of Texas A&M has been elite for a long time, and this season proved it once again.
Defensive End Myles Garrett Putting Together Another Important Display
It was apparent as a rookie in 2017 when he managed 31 tackles, seven sacks, and a forced fumble and recovery in his first season as a Brown that he was the real deal. This is his seventh NFL season, all in the orange and brown, and he continues to raise the bar.
Since entering the league, he has 100 games played, 305 total tackles including 210 solo tackles, 88.5 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries. Consistently amongst the league’s best, and as important a player as any for a team that has been very up and down since his 2017 season.
Defensive End Myles Garrett Amongst The Best
All Garrett has done is make plays, backing up the hype that comes with someone drafted first overall. He has already been to two pro-bowls with a third almost guaranteed this season. He has earned both first-team and second-team All-Pro accolades in 2020 and 2018 respectively.
HAPPY 28th BIRTHDAY MYLES GARRETT!! 🦖 pic.twitter.com/tEw1JPW3J6
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) December 29, 2023
Earlier this season, Garrett recorded two sacks in Week 7 which put him at first all-time in sacks before his 28th birthday. Since entering the league, he has the second most sacks in the entire league behind T.J. Watt. If you take just his Week 7 stats, which were all needed in a 39-38 shootout win, it is easy to see why he is the betting favorite for Defensive Player of the Year.
Defensive end Myles Garrett finished with two sacks, two forced fumbles, and a blocked field goal all in the same game. That was the first time someone has achieved those totals in a single game since 2000.
This is the perfect example of Myles Garrett not needing a sack to make an impact. pic.twitter.com/pl2UVFad6B
— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) December 29, 2023
Earlier this season, Garrett also became the undisputed sack leader of the franchise when he got his 79th sack early in the 2023 season. He had three and a half sacks in the week three contest, just another example of how unguardable of a force he can be.
Not Always The Stats
Defensive end Myles Garrett’s numbers could be talked about all day long, his plays without a recorded stat have been just as vital. He is confusing defenses pre-snap and forcing double and triple teams his way. As a result, many of his teammates have enjoyed some of their best professional seasons, even late in their careers.
He is unselfish and loves to see his team succeed, and the Browns defense this year has been arguably the league’s best. It is not a surprise the Browns cornerbacks are all amongst the league’s best in many categories as Garrett is applying pressure and affecting throws. His unique skill set for his size has paid off more than anyone could ask for with a defensive end. If Garrett continues to play at an all-pro and Player-of-the-Year level, the Cleveland Browns will continue their historic success into the postseason.
Main Image: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
