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Daniel Oyefusi
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Daniel Oyefusi
ESPN
- Daniel Oyefusi reports on the Cleveland Browns for ESPN. Before this, he covered the Miami Dolphins at the Miami Herald and the Baltimore Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.
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Jeff Legwold
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Jeff Legwold
ESPN Senior Writer
- Jeff Legwold covers the Denver Broncos for ESPN. With over 20 years of experience covering the Broncos, he also contributes to NFL draft coverage and joined ESPN in 2013. Since 1999, he has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors. His previous coverage includes the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans.
Since being drafted first overall in 2017, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has consistently ranked among the top players in the NFL.
Currently, he is nearing a historic achievement, having amassed a career-high 18 sacks over 11 games, including 14 in just the last five. With six games left in the regular season, he is only five sacks shy of breaking the single-season sack record of 22.5, held jointly by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and current Pittsburgh Steelers standout T.J. Watt.
Garrett’s 18 sacks surpass the total of three entire teams this season (Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers). As the reigning 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a strong favorite to win the title again this year, Garrett is setting himself up for an incredible season, despite the Browns facing ongoing challenges on offense and potentially heading towards their seventh losing season since his arrival.
Notably, Garrett had previously requested a trade, wishing to join a contender, but recommitted to the team with a record-setting extension in March, averaging $40 million annually. Now, just months later, as he approaches 30 on December 29, he stands on the brink of eclipsing the record set by Strahan in 2001 and matched by Watt in 2021.
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos have amassed 49 sacks in 11 games, targeting the single-season team record of 72 sacks established by the Chicago Bears in 1984. This success is a collective team effort, featuring five players with four or more sacks. Nik Bonitto leads the charge with 9.5 sacks, followed closely by Jonathon Cooper (7.5) and Zach Allen (6).
We are closely monitoring Garrett and the Broncos in their respective pursuits to overpower opposing quarterbacks. Browns reporter Daniel Oyefusi will provide insight on Garrett as the Cleveland team prepares to face the visiting 49ers on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS), while Broncos correspondent Jeff Legwold will report after Denver’s game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC):
Garrett’s Current Standing (18 sacks through 11 games)
What Garrett needs to break the record: Garrett is currently on track for an astonishing 27 sacks, a figure that would not only obliterate Strahan’s record but also secure it before or by the end of the 16-game season that Strahan played during. In his latest performance, Garrett recorded three sacks against the Raiders, setting both a career high and surpassing his previous record for the Browns. His current pace allows for some leeway should he have an off day; however, he has displayed no potential signs of slowing. His next test will be against elite left tackle Trent Williams, and the 49ers have allowed only the eighth-fewest sacks this season (19).
Key stats and trends for Garrett’s prolific season: Garrett’s impressive 14 sacks over the last five games represent the highest tally by any player over a similar five-game span since 1982 when sacks became an official statistic, according to ESPN Research.
What we’re hearing about his season: «In the last four games, I don’t even think about it. I’m focused on the next match, how we can execute, and do it again. Afterward, I hope I can share this moment with my family, so they can help me grasp it’s significance. I’m genuinely proud of this team and how we’ve responded,» Garrett remarked after his three-sack outing in Week 12’s win over the Raiders.
Garrett’s Contributions: His three-sack performance was a highlight in a cumulative 10-sack effort from the Browns’ aggressive pass rush, not just attaining his career high but also breaking the franchise record he established in prior seasons.
«I won’t rush [the process of breaking the record], but I want it to coincide with a victory,» Garrett expressed post-game.
Garrett’s Accomplishments: He achieved four sacks in a single game, equalizing an NFL record, while also earning 10 sacks in a three-game stretch. Additionally, he is the first in league history to post at least 12 sacks across six consecutive seasons, surpassing the achievements of Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, and is also the fourth player ever to secure four sacks in multiple games within the same season.
Garrett’s Impact: By accumulating an additional sack, he stands with the second-most sacks (11) by a Browns player after the initial ten weeks – he had achieved 13 during the same period in the 2021 season.
Week 9 Browns’ Bye Period
Garrett concluded the Browns’ bye with 10 sacks, tying with the New York Giants’ Brian Burns for the most in the league. In the wake of trade rumors and speculation surrounding Garrett, who has a no-trade clause, a source stated to ESPN’s Adam Schefter just ahead of the November 4 trade deadline that there is «no chance» the Browns will consider trading Garrett.
Garrett’s Significant Game: In arguably the finest single-game display of his career and franchise history, Garrett set a new benchmark with five sacks. Furthermore, he overtook Hall of Famer Reggie White (108 sacks) for the highest sack total by any player under 30 years of age since 1982.
However, this remarkable feat was overshadowed by another crushing loss, leaving Garrett glum on the bench during the game’s closing moments.
«I would trade my entire performance for a victory,» Garrett lamented.
Myles Garrett sitting alone at the end of the bench amid his best statistical game, 5 sacks. But the Browns are 2 min away from dropping to 2-6 for the second straight year with the bye week approaching. pic.twitter.com/vagRGvHTFr
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) October 26, 2025
Garrett’s Performance: He broke a three-game drought with one sack, coinciding with the Browns snapping their own three-game losing streak.
Garrett’s Recent Play: For the third consecutive game, he did not register a sack, prompting him to urge for adjustments in the defensive strategy.
«Offenses predominantly plan around stopping me, and we need to adapt our strategy to give me better matchups, just like other pass rushers do,» Garrett stated in the aftermath.
Garrett’s Performance: He was kept without a sack for a second consecutive game, achieving only a lowly 6.3% pressure rate.
Garrett’s Contributions: He logged his first sack of the season, while still making impacts with five pressures and two quarterback hits.
Garrett’s Contribution: With just half a sack in their first victory, he remained impactful. Garrett recorded multiple pressures for the 94th time in his career, surpassing Watt for the second-most since ESPN began recording that statistic in 2006.
Garrett’s Accomplishments: He marked his season debut with 1.5 sacks against the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson, but didn’t reflect on the individual achievements following a humiliating loss he labeled «embarrassing.»
Garrett’s Performance: He initiated his pursuit of the record with two sacks against the Bengals and Joe Burrow, whom he has sacked the most in his career (11 times). This was his 23rd career game with multiple sacks.
