A seldom noticed part of what makes Myles Garrett great — Terry Pluto

LEVELAND, Ohio — The NFL sack record?

Yes, it’s a awesome accomplishment for nan Browns’ Myles Garrett.

But thing other is an important portion of nan story, thing seldom mentioned.

Since being suspended for nan last six games of nan 2019 aft his conflict pinch Pittsburgh QB Mason Rudolph, Garrett has missed only 4 games.

That’s 4 games successful six seasons, counting 2025.

Four games for a squad that has had only 2 winning records successful that span. Four games erstwhile it would person been easy for Garrett to beryllium retired acold more.

When a prima is connected a losing squad and nan play nears an end, it’s tempting for nan subordinate to say, “My hamstring hurts, my knee aches, my calf musculus … “

You get nan idea.

All NFL players person immoderate type of beingness problem adjacent nan extremity of a agelong season.

Nor has Garrett ever missed immoderate required offseason workouts. There person been times erstwhile Garrett was fixed nan action of not practicing during nan regular season, but he said he wanted to beryllium connected nan field.

A awesome portion of expertise is availability, and Garrett has checked that box. He played each 17 games this season. He played each 17 past season. He didn’t missed past season. The Browns weren’t adjacent to playoff contention either year.

Garrett recorded his 23rd sack during nan Browns last crippled of nan play successful Cincinnati.

The waste and acquisition demand, nan reality

Garrett’s dedication to playing was 1 of reasons I wasn’t upset astir his offseason waste and acquisition demands, and past his determination to motion a immense statement pinch nan Browns. Garrett was being represented by Nicole Lynn, who useful for nan Klutch Sports. That’s Rich Paul’s agency, which represents a batch of NBA players.

The Garrett waste and acquisition request and saying antagonistic things astir his squad is simply a strategy sometimes employed by NBA stars erstwhile they want out.

Garrett didn’t simply want retired of Cleveland.

He wanted to play for a contender, and he wanted to beryllium nan highest-paid protect player. He wanted both. When it became clear nan Browns were not going to waste and acquisition him, he signed nan lucrative statement extension.

Garrett showed he didn’t simply return to Cleveland for nan money. He remained driven to beryllium great,

Then Garrett responded pinch nan champion play of his career, and group nan NFL grounds for sacks.

It’s not conscionable sacks

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski and protect coordinator Jim Schwartz person stressed Garrett’s elite defense vs. nan run.

It’s not conscionable coach-talk.

Pro Football Focus ranks him arsenic nan No. 2 separator rusher defending nan run. He is down only Buffalo’s Greg Rosseau, who has only 4 sacks this season.

Garrett is often double-teamed. Sometimes, 3 guys effort to artifact him – 1 aft another. He is held connected galore of his walk rushes, pinch fewer punishment flags flying.

Garrett turned 30 connected Dec. 29.

Since being nan first prime successful nan 2017 draft, Garrett has made six Pro Bowls, and 4 times he was named first squad All-Pro. He besides was nan NFL Defensive Player of nan Year successful 2023 and should triumph it again.

Browns GM Andrew Berry has often said that Garrett began his profession successful Cleveland and he should extremity it successful Canton – location of nan Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The sack grounds is different logic why that could beryllium nan case.

I'm grateful to my readers who person publication maine for decades. I'm nan writer of much than 30 books, a victor of nan National Headliner Award arsenic nan nation's champion sports columnist successful 2020 and champion sports writer in...