CLEVELAND, Ohio — When legendary pass-rusher Lawrence Taylor takes the time to acknowledge you on social media, you know you’ve joined him as one of the best of all time.
That’s what happened to Myles Garrett on Sunday morning when Taylor, widely regarded as the best defender in the history of the NFL, took to X to shout him out.
Taylor, who dominated for the Giants from 1981-1993, posted a graphic of Garrett breaking his record in Week 11 with six straight seasons with at least 12 sacks, from 2020-2025. Taylor, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and NFL MVP in 1986, set the previous mark of five straight seasons of at least 12 sacks, from 1985-89. Garrett accomplished the feat with his four-sack outburst against the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson in Week 11 for a season total of 15.
He added another three against Geno Smith during Sunday’s 24-10 victory over the Raiders for a total of 18, which broke his own record of 16, achieved in 2021 and 2022. He’s now just five shy of shattering the NFL single-season record of 22.5, set by Michael Strahan in 2001 and T.J. Watt in 2021, and is on pace for 27. His 18 are five more than the Giants’ Brian Burns, who has 13.
“Ton of respect for how this dude goes about his business…” Taylor posted on X Sunday. “He’s been doing it on another level for a long time now… there’s only so many who truly alter gameplans and keep the other side up @ night. Keep doing your thing Myles !!!!”
On Sunday, he set the NFL record with 14 sacks over a five-game span, breaking the previous record of 12.5 set by Strahan in 2001.
Garrett also joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White (19 sacks) and Mark Gastineau (17.5) as the only players since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, with at least 17 sacks through their first 11 games of a season.
He ranks first in the NFL with 120.5 sacks since entering the league in 2017, and he’s the third player since 1982 with at least 16 sacks in three career seasons, joining J.J. Watt (four seasons) and White (four).
Garrett’s 18 sacks this season surpasses Gastineau (17.5 sacks) for the second-most sacks in a player’s first 11 games of a season since 1982, trailing only White (19), and is the third player since 1982 with at least 16 sacks in three career seasons, joining J.J. Watt (four seasons) and White (four).
“Three sacks, it’s a down game for him,” Browns left guard Joel Bitonio joked, “so he’s doing alright.”
With back-to-back home games coming up against the 49ers and Titans, Garrett could set the coveted single-season record over the next couple of weeks. The Browns also play four out of their next five at home, meaning there’s a good chance he’ll set it again the home crowd.
“Chasing Mike, chasing greatness,” Garrett said. “If God wills it, I’ll go get it hopefully sooner rather than later. I don’t try to delay this thing.”
He has one wish for the record.
“I want it to come in a win,” he said. “I want to have a chance to play some games in January and in February, so we’ve got to win out.”
While the quarterbacks and the records fall, Garrett really wants only one thing: that elusive trip to the Super Bowl. With the Browns at 3-8, he’s still gunning for the playoffs.
“I never doubted it was possible,” he said. “Never a moment. I think the last thing you can give up in your life and in sports is hope. So I have hope for this season, hope for this next game. I keep my head held high and focus on what’s in front of me. And what’s next is the 49ers, I believe. So I’ll just keep on working hard, study them and hope everything works in our favor, but we’ve got to take care of business.”
As far as LT is concerned, Garrett is taking care of his.
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