The Browns are a disaster.
But that has nothing to do with Myles Garrett’s play on the field. Cleveland’s All-Pro pass rusher remains one of the best defenders of his generation and is in the midst of another stellar season. On Sunday, he arrived in the NFL for the first time.
Garrett sacked Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley twice on Sunday. His second increased his season tally to 14 to tie him for the NFL lead with Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson.
He also marked his fourth consecutive season with 14+ sacks, making him the first player in NFL history to achieve that feat. Reggie White didn’t. Bruce Smith didn’t. Julius Peppers didn’t. Kevin Greene didn’t.
Sunday’s pair of sacks brings Garrett’s career tally to 102.5 in seven seasons. He reached the tally on his 29th birthday and projects to finish among the league’s all-time sack leaders (Smith’s 200 is No. 1) if he stays healthy. He has now reached double-digit sacks in seven consecutive seasons.
Unfortunately for the Browns, his skill has not translated into success. With Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback, Cleveland failed to score a touchdown Sunday and lost 20-3 to a Dolphins team that played without Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle. The Browns fell to 3-13 and are in the midst of their sixth losing season in the eight seasons since they drafted Garrett No. 1 overall.
Garrett, of course, can only do so much as a player. As he continues to attack the record books, Browns fans can only hope that the Browns don’t completely throw away his prime.