Myles Garrett Chasing History While Browns Struggle to Find Their Footing
Before the Cleveland Browns took the field against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, fans were treated to a moment of levity between two of the NFL’s elite: Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett and 49ers tight end George Kittle. The two stars shared a mic’d-up exchange that was as entertaining as it was revealing - a rare candid moment between competitors who clearly respect each other’s game.
Garrett, who’s in the middle of a monster season, jokingly asked Kittle to ease up on the chip blocks. Kittle wasn’t having it.
“No,” he said with a laugh. “Dude, your five-sack game was crazy.
Keep going, man, it’s fun to watch. Please don’t break the record today, but I’ll tell Brock (Purdy) to give you one.”
Garrett, not missing a beat, replied, “Maybe two?”
That kind of back-and-forth is gold for fans, but it also underscores just how dominant Garrett has been this season. He’s sitting at 19 sacks - just four shy of the single-season record (22.5), currently shared by Michael Strahan and T.J.
Watt. And with five games left, the record is very much in play.
Garrett did notch one sack in the Browns’ 26-8 loss to the Niners, but the game itself was another frustrating chapter in what’s been a tough season in Cleveland.
A Rough Start for Shedeur Sanders
Sunday marked rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ first home start as a pro, and it didn’t go as hoped. The offense sputtered.
The 49ers’ defense - as relentless and disciplined as any in the league - made life difficult for the young QB. At one point, tensions boiled over on the sideline when wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was seen venting his frustration at Sanders.
It’s been that kind of year for the Browns. At 3-9, they’re out of the playoff picture and searching for answers on both sides of the ball - outside of Garrett, who continues to play at a Defensive Player of the Year level.
The Bigger Picture in Cleveland
Garrett’s individual brilliance is impossible to ignore, but it’s also being overshadowed by the team’s broader struggles. This is a roster with major question marks.
The offensive line has been inconsistent and will likely need a serious overhaul in the offseason. The wide receiver corps lacks depth beyond Jeudy.
The defense, while anchored by Garrett, has glaring holes in the secondary and at linebacker.
Even the quarterback situation remains unsettled. Sanders has shown flashes, but whether he’s the long-term answer is still very much up in the air.
Back in February, Garrett made headlines by requesting a trade, expressing his desire to compete for a championship. But in a surprising move, he ended up signing a four-year, $160 million extension to stay in Cleveland.
It was a statement - a commitment to the franchise and belief in the future. But so far, the Browns haven’t held up their end of the bargain.
Garrett turns 30 soon. He’s in his prime, chasing records, and playing like a man possessed.
But the window to win isn’t open forever. And if Cleveland can’t build a contender around him soon, questions about his future with the team will only grow louder.
Next Up: A Golden Opportunity
The Browns will host the Tennessee Titans this Sunday - the NFL’s worst team by record. It’s a golden opportunity for Garrett to inch closer to history and for Sanders to bounce back with a confidence-building performance.
For now, all eyes are on No. 95.
He’s putting together one of the most dominant defensive seasons we’ve seen in recent memory. The only question is whether it’ll be remembered as part of a winning campaign - or just another wasted year of greatness in Cleveland.