Myles Garrett Exclusive: Browns Star Talks All-Time Sack Record, Retirement, Shedeur Sanders

Myles Garrett is not done breaking sack records.

The Cleveland Browns star defensive end set the single-season mark with 23 sacks last year, which clinched his second Defensive Player of the Year award.

Garrett is almost unanimously considered the best defensive player in the game today, but he's not done.

He also wants to break the all-time sack record of 200, held by Buffalo Bills Hall of Famer Bruce Smith. Garrett is tied with Dwight Freeney for 20th on the all-time list with 125.5 sacks, putting him 75 away from setting the new mark.

Garrett has averaged 15.9 sacks per season in his career.

"I'm going to take that down, and prefer that I take it down here in the next five years," Garrett told Casino Guru News in an exclusive interview. "That is definitely on my mind to go out there and get. That's a goal I've had for years now since college."

Garrett chasing J.J. Watt’s tackles-for-loss record

The 30-year-old mentioned he also wants to break J.J. Watt’s single-season record for tackles for loss. Watt had 39 for the Texans in 2012. Garrett finished with 33 this past season, second-best in recorded history.

"A big one I wanted to get was the single-season tackles-for-loss record, and I was creeping up on that before the NFL decided I didn't need any more plays my way, any more sacks or anything like that," Garrett said. "I'll find a way to be me and be even more effective towards the end of the year, take down some other records as well."

On playing late into his 30s: ‘Hell no’

Garrett wants to break the all-time sack record within the next five years, and he gave a resounding answer when asked if he would play late into his 30s like one of his idols, Reggie White.

"Hell no," said Garrett when asked of the possibility of playing deep into his 30's. "Ain't no way."

Garrett, who has the most sacks in the NFL since entering the league in 2017, said there are multiple players he looked up to while growing up, including Von Miller, who is still an active player to this day.

Both Garrett and Miller are Texas A&M Aggies alums.

"There were definitely some greats I love," Garrett said. "I still love watching Reggie (White). Watched a lot of Deacon (Jones) in high school. Bruce Smith has been a good friend to me and my family, and a mentor. I've also become good friends with DeMarcus Ware and obviously Mike (Strahan).

"But the main guy I watched from high school onwards was Von Miller. Just watching him aesthetically as far as pass rushing, he's probably the pinnacle of how you want your rushes to look like. He disguises them well. He's got power, he's got speed, he's got the spin, the change of direction. He's got the bend. He's got it all, and I knew I wanted to be on that level, on that caliber. Hopefully I'm following suit and in my fellow Aggie’s steps."

Von Miller’s advice: "Carve your own way"

When asked what's the best advice he's received from Miller over the years, he said it's to "carve your own way."

"He said, 'You don't need any advice from me, you carve your own way, carve your own path,'" said Garrett of Miller's advice to him. "I tell him, 'There's no way I can comment to a guy as great as he is.’ He's done it at such a high level consistently. I tried to absorb any knowledge I can glean from him. He's always been giving out free tips and advice to young guys and anyone who will listen. I'm always there to try to just learn from my peers and other greats."

Garrett reflects on breaking the single-season sack record

Garrett, who broke Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt's single-season sack record with his sack on Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in the final game of the season, said he spoke to Strahan after winning the award.

"Me and Michael, we chatted for a bit after the award," Garrett said. "We were talking for almost 10 minutes, just (about) how much respect we have for one another. I'm standing on the shoulders of giants, and I couldn't have done it without him.

"I haven't had much dialogue with T.J. but some other peers, like Micah (Parsons), Will (Anderson Jr.) Maxx (Crosby), Deatrich Wise. There are guys I'm missing right now, but I had the pleasure to speak to a lot of the guys who I respect and acknowledge their games around the league."

Garrett’s Mount Rushmore of pass rushers

When asked who is on his Mount Rushmore of pass rushers, Garrett named the following four all-time greats.

"Reggie (White), Michael (Strahan), Bruce Smith and J.J. Watt," Garrett said.

Garrett almost missed breaking the sack record, considering he didn't notch his final sack until a few minutes remained in the fourth quarter against Burrow and the Bengals in the final week of the season.

The Browns defensive end said the Bengals quarterback wished him "congrats" after breaking the single-season sack record.

"He told me, 'Congrats,'" Garrett said. "He said, 'Of course it had to be on me.'"

Garrett: Shedeur Sanders is ‘unflappable’

The Browns are entering a new era with former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken taking over head coaching duties.

Monken coached the Ravens over the past three seasons, leading Baltimore to top four rankings on offense twice over the past three years, including Lamar Jackson's MVP year in 2023.

"I haven't had any conversations yet" with Monken, Garrett said. "I'll be going back in a couple of weeks, and I plan to hash all that out when I get there. But as far as the drive to win, that's paramount, that's always been bigger than any individual record for me or accomplishment. That's what I try to instill into my guys on the team, especially on defense.

"Now as much as we want to get sacks, we want to make plays. We’ve got to do whatever it takes to win. Whatever role you have to play to make that happen, let's be that guy, let's be that person. Let's be a plus, not a minus, and let's have an effect on winning every time we step foot out there."

Shedeur Sanders ended the season as the Browns' starting quarterback, going 3-4 in his seven starts. He could project as the team's starting quarterback entering next season.

Garrett said the rookie QB's best trait is that he's "unflappable."

"He's pretty unflappable," said Garrett of Sanders. "The guy goes out there, he's always himself, he stays true to him and he's just confident."