Myles Garrett Breaks NFL Single-Season Sack Record with 23 Takedowns in Historic 2025 Season

CINCINNATI — Myles Garrett etched his name atop the NFL record books Sunday, recording his 23rd sack of the 2025 season to break a mark that had stood for nearly a quarter-century.

The Cleveland Browns defensive end wrapped up Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow with 5:17 remaining in the fourth quarter of Cleveland's 20-18 victory, surpassing the previous record of 22.5 sacks shared by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan (2001) and Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt (2021).

Garrett used his fastest get-off of the season at 0.23 seconds and executed a swim move to defeat left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. before bringing down Burrow for a 5-yard loss.

Historic Achievement Caps Dominant Season

The 29-year-old Garrett's record-breaking performance culminated a season-long pursuit that saw him fight through chip blocks, double teams and triple teams from opposing offenses attempting to slow his relentless pass rush.

Garrett had dreamed Saturday night that he failed to break the record, but arrived at the stadium determined to make history. He woke around 6:30 a.m. Sunday for breakfast with his physical therapist to mentally prepare for his final opportunity.

Following the record-breaking sack, teammates swarmed Garrett and lifted him onto their shoulders as the crowd at Paycor Stadium erupted. The game was briefly paused to allow the celebration, drawing criticism from Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, who said officials had not informed him pregame about the potential stoppage.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski praised his star defender's accomplishment.

"That's history," Stefanski said. "He's the sack king. They've been playing this game for a long time, and for him to go get that in the circumstances, with the degree of difficulty in which he got it this season, is unbelievable."

Path to the Record

Garrett's march to history featured several standout performances throughout the 2025 campaign:

• Week 8 vs. New England Patriots: Five sacks, setting both a career high and Browns franchise record for sacks in a single game

• Week 11 vs. Baltimore Ravens: Four sacks against Lamar Jackson

• Nine consecutive games with at least a half-sack, the longest streak of his career

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft also led the league with 33 tackles for loss while terrorizing 11 different quarterbacks throughout the season, including Burrow (twice), Jackson (5.5), Drake Maye (5.0), Geno Smith (3), Caleb Williams (1.5), Brock Purdy (1), Justin Fields (1), Tua Tagovailoa (1), Cam Ward (1), Jordan Love (0.5) and Josh Allen (0.5).

Garrett's 12th career sack of Burrow also established a personal milestone, giving him more takedowns of Cincinnati's quarterback than any other signal-caller he has faced.

Team Support Fuels Individual Success

While the record belongs to Garrett, the defensive end emphasized the collective effort required to achieve the milestone.

Safeties coach Ephraim Banda said his unit was committed to helping Garrett reach the historic mark, with defenders working to remove chip blocks and double-teams to create one-on-one matchups.

"I didn't know it was going to be like that," Garrett said of his teammates' celebration. "I'm so happy to be with these guys. They made it a joy to show up every day at work."

Defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire expressed his admiration for Garrett's work ethic and preparation, noting he had joked with his star that this would be the record-breaking season. The two had written projected sack totals on the defensive line room board, first setting a goal of 24, then revising it to 25.

Overcoming Adversity in Losing Season

Garrett's achievement proved even more remarkable considering he accomplished it for a struggling Browns team that rarely held leads, limiting opportunities for him to pin his ears back in obvious passing situations.

Cleveland finished 5-12, eliminated from playoff contention in Week 14. Despite the losing record, Garrett maintained his focus on both individual excellence and team success throughout the season.

The defensive end also excelled against the run, with Stefanski and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz consistently praising his effectiveness in run defense alongside his pass-rushing prowess.

Historical Context and Future Implications

Garrett becomes the first player to officially break Strahan's record since the Hall of Famer set it in 2001. Watt matched the mark in 2021, but neither could surpass it until Garrett's historic 2025 campaign.

The record represents the most sacks in a season since the NFL made sacks an official statistic in 1982. Pro Football Reference maintains an unofficial list that includes Al Baker's 23 sacks in 1978 and multiple seasons by Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones, who coined the term "sack."

Garrett is the first player in NFL history to record at least 12 sacks in six consecutive seasons, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor. He also became the only player to record at least 10 sacks in each of the past eight seasons.

With 125.5 career sacks, Garrett ranks second among players for most sacks through their first nine seasons since 1982.

Accolades and Recognition

The 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is expected to claim the award again in 2025, with Stefanski saying Garrett deserves consideration for league MVP.

Congratulations poured in from across the sports world, including messages from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Lakers forward LeBron James, Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons and Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss.

Garrett earned his seventh Pro Bowl selection for the 2025 season and is likely to receive his fifth All-Pro accolade.

Looking Ahead

Despite achieving the sack record, Garrett indicated he has additional goals in mind.

"I want to be remembered as one of the very best at the position, and that includes being well-rounded, in the run and pass," Garrett said. "The record for TFL's is 39 and I feel like I can go and challenge that."

Following his record-breaking performance, Garrett also expressed interest in pursuing a 25-sack season in the future, cementing his status as the premier pass rusher of his generation.

The Browns signed Garrett to a four-year, $160 million contract extension before the 2025 season after the defensive end requested a trade in February. The deal included $123.5 million in guaranteed money and was then a record for a non-quarterback.

Garrett's historic season provides a bright spot for Browns fans in an otherwise disappointing campaign, and establishes him as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.