The Cleveland Browns ended the 2025 season on a high note.
It was a rough year overall, and they won’t be participating in the postseason, but they head into the offseason on a two-game winning streak, with both of those victories coming against AFC North rivals. A game-winning drive, ending in an Andre Szmyt field goal — which is poetic in itself, considering how Szmyt’s NFL debut against Cincinnati went back in September — lifted the Browns over the Cincinnati Bengals in the season finale, 20-18.
The win wasn’t the biggest story from Sunday’s game, though. Star defensive end and former (and likely future) Defensive-Player-of-the-Year Myles Garrett etched his name in the history books with a sack on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Garrett’s historic season has drawn the attention of not just those in Cleveland, but the sports world as a whole.
Let’s dive into some of the reactions to Garrett’s historic day, as well as some reactions to what the win means for the Browns.
Sports world celebrates Garrett
Garrett’s sack with roughly five minutes to go in Sunday’s game put his season total at 23, a half-sack more than the previous record, shared by Giants defensive end Michael Strahan (2001) and Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (2021). The historic mark earned Garrett praise from his peers and opponents.
CONGRATULATIONS MY GOOD BROTHER!!!!!!! @Flash_Garrett 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾💪🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 4, 2026
Congratulations to Miles Garrett for breaking the NFL single-season sack record 🫡
— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) January 4, 2026
CONGRATS TO MYLES GARRETT FOR SETTING THE SACKS RECORD. NFL’S BEST PASS RUSHER BY FAR.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 4, 2026
He’s done it. Myles Garrett is your new single season sack leader. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) January 4, 2026Browns fans react to the record falling
Fans of the team were, predictably, ecstatic to see Garrett finally break the record, after a few close calls over the last several games.
Yayyyy Shedeur Sanders finished the season with a win! and Miles Garrett broke the NFL single-season sack record! Congratulations #DawgPound
— 🦂THEE Auntie with no kids♏️ (@prmade313raised) January 4, 2026
Myles Garrett got the sack record and the Browns won with a game winning drive from Shedeur Sanders and Andre Szmyt got the clutch game winning kick.
Yeah we’re leaving with something. #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/ALSR9XkkM3
— Big Mike (@big_mike9169) January 4, 2026
Myles Garrett writes his name in the book. All time single season sack record. Genuinely the BRIGHTEST spot of a terrible season. Well earned, well deserved. #JurassicMyles #DawgPound
— Fred Himes Jr. (@BigChiefBuckeye) January 4, 2026
I WATCHED THE GREATEST EVER DO IT LIVE, CONGRATULATIONS TO 95 #DAWGPOUND
— Chad The Dumb Browns Fan (@DumbBrownsFann) January 4, 2026
MYLES GARRETT HAS OFFICIALLY BROKEN THE SINGLE SEASON SACK RECORD. #DawgPound
— Christian Rudloff (@MUSinfonian) January 4, 2026The coaching uncertainty
The feeling coming into the weekend was that Sunday’s game would be Kevin Stefanski’s last as head coach of the Browns. The Browns have experienced success under Stefanski, with two playoff berths that led to him bringing home a pair of Coach of the Year awards during his tenure, but the team is just 8-26 since their Wild Card loss to the Texans two years ago. Despite the season closing with two consecutive wins, Stefanski’s time in Cleveland may be up.
Firing Stefanski rn would be a very dumb mistake. It makes zero sense to bring in an unproven head coach for an inevitable year of QB woes. Invest in the offense and give Stefanski a chance to progress with Sanders. If it fails clear house for new HC & new QB in 2027#DawgPound
— OhiosHottestWhiteBoy (@WhiteBoyOH) January 4, 2026
If that’s it for Kevin Stefanski in his #DawgPound tenure, great way to go out with Myles getting the single season sack record & the players giving it all through the finish line.
— Jensen Lewis (@JLEWFifty) January 4, 2026
I’m going to say it now…with a tear in my eye…I’m a Kevin Stefanski guy…and I remain a Kevin Stefanski guy. If this is the end or not…He brought more joy to my life than any Browns Coach in my life time.
— Bobby Mechling (@The_real_BobbyM) January 4, 2026
If this is it for Kevin Stefanski, Im glad he goes out a winner
— Nick Wilson (@NickWilsonSays) January 4, 2026
You can’t fire Kevin Stefanski. Give him one more year
— Sir Yacht (@SirYacht_) January 4, 2026
Gonna be hilarious firing Stefanski after back to back wins to end the season
— Gabe (@gabeybrazy) January 4, 2026
Kevin Stefanski deserved so much better.
Thank you for one last win against the Bengals and for some of the best memories we’ve had since the Browns returned.
— Anthony DiPiero (@AnthonyDiPiero7) January 4, 2026
At what point do we stop blaming Kevin Stefanski and start questioning the Browns’ front office?
Because let’s be honest: the Deshaun Watson signing by the Browns’ front office was the catalyst for the downfall of the downfall.#DawgPound pic.twitter.com/3W7gMlLy7v
— gee. (@geeondruh) January 4, 2026
I hate to be a wet blanket, but the @Browns wins the past two weeks mask the stank of the absolute trainwreck from October-December. The presnap penalties. The special teams gaffes. The QB malpractice. Don’t get hooked and go soft on #Stefanski & Co. now. #browns #DawgPound
— 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬 (@MParris86) January 4, 2026
If that was it for Stefanski, it was a hell of a run. But I think it’s time to move on. Jim Schwartz anyone?#DawgPound
— Evan Schulz (@schulz_EvanCP) January 4, 2026
Can’t get excited about Stefanski getting canned if Berry is coming back. #DawgPound .
— JJ (@Flint521466) January 4, 2026