The NFL world watched as Myles Garrett broke T.J. Watt’s NFL single-season sack record earlier Sunday in Week 18. By the end of the day, T.J. Watt was wearing an AFC North champions hat and T-shirt for winning the division on Sunday Night Football.
Watt reacted to Garrett breaking his record via ESPN’s SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt after the Steelers beat the Ravens, 26-24, in an instant classic.
“Yeah, that’s awesome man. I got a lot of respect for him as a player and as a person. To be able to go out there and make NFL history is incredible. Hats off to him,” Watt said.
Being in the same draft class and playing in the same division as two of the best pass rushers to ever play the game, Watt and Garrett will always be compared. And they have egged that competition on at times, like when Watt snubbed the awards ceremony after learning he was getting snubbed for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
There is no disputing that Garrett had the better season in 2025, and he pulled pretty far ahead in total sacks when comparing the two careers. But I think Watt will settle for wearing a hat and T-shirt with a chance to compete in the playoffs in the meantime.
If I had to guess, Watt would trade his previous sack title for a chance at a Super Bowl championship if given the option. If you watched the pageantry that took place after Garrett broke the record—which included a brief stoppage in the game—it was apparent that his sack record was the Browns’ Super Bowl. They hoisted him on their shoulders after the game as if they didn’t just finish a 5-12 season as the bottom dwellers of the AFC North.
Watt could have made a verbal jab about making the playoffs while Garrett settled for the record, but his reaction was nothing but pure class. He let his hat and T-shirt do the talking.