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Myles Garrett made NFL history, and in the process may have solidified his case as the greatest pass rusher of his era. The Cleveland Browns' perennial All-Pro broke the single-season sack record previously shared by Pittsburgh Steelers' veteran T.J. Watt and Hall of Famer Michael Strahan. 

History was made with 5:14 left during Cleveland's Week 18 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Garrett's record-breaking sack came against Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. 

"I can't lie, I was nervous as hell," Garrett said about the pressure he felt entering the game in terms of getting the sack record. "I had a dream last night that I didn't get it and all the feelings that come with that. I woke up, I think I was sweating. I was like, 'There's no way I'm going to let that be my destiny.' Just fighting like hell to not only rewrite history, but I feel like my own destiny." 

Garrett made history despite a somewhat slow start to the season. After registering four sacks in the season's first six games, Garrett tallied 18 sacks over a nine-game stretch that included five sacks of New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye back in Week 8. 

After that tear, it appeared like a foregone conclusion that the record would belong to Garrett before the 2025 season ended. That changed, however, after the Steelers held Garrett without a sack during Week 17. The Bengals then held Garrett without a sack during the first three quarters of Sunday's game.

Garrett's moment finally arrived on Cleveland's second-to-last defensive possession of the season. On the play, be beat multiple Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. before pulling Burrow to the turf. Play then temporality halted before teammates put Garrett on their shoulders after the drive had concluded. 

"I didn't know it was gonna be like that," Garrett said of his teammates' response to him breaking the record. "I'm so happy to be with these guys. They made it a joy to show up every day at work. I've loved every second of this year, being able to work with guys and coaches like this. It's honestly been a real pleasure." 

The 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Garrett broke a record that had initially been set by Strahan in 2001 and tied by Watt in 2021. Strahan broke former New York Jets standout Mark Gastineau's 17-year-old record in 2001, and Watt tied his mark of 21.5 sacks in 2021. 

Single-season sack leaders


Player, TeamSacksYearDPOY?
1.Myles Garrett, Browns 232025???
T-2.

T.J. Watt, Steelers 

22.5

2021

Yes
T-2.

Michael Strahan, Giants

22.5

2001

Yes
T-4.

Jared Allen, Vikings

22

2011

No
T-4.

Mark Gastineau, Jets

22

1984

No
T-4.

Justin Houston, Chiefs

22

2014

No
T-7.

Chris Doleman, Vikings

21

1989

No
T-7.

Reggie White, Eagles

21

1987

Yes
T-9. 

Aaron Donald, Rams

20.5

2018

Yes
T-9. 

Lawrence Taylor, Giants

20.5

1986

Yes
T-9.

JJ Watt, Texans

20.5

2014

Yes
T-9. JJ Watt, Texans20.5 2012Yes
T-13. DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys 202008No
T-13. Derrick Thomas, Chiefs 201990No

The NFL did not make sacks an official statistic until 1982. Pro Football Reference has an unofficial list of the all-time single-season sack leaders that includes players who played prior to '82. On their unofficial list, Al Baker's 23 sacks during the 1978 season served as the single-season record. Baker, the 1978 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, went onto enjoy a highly-successful 13-year career that included an unofficial tally of 131 sacks. 

Pro Football Reference's list also includes three seasons where former Rams Hall of Famer Deacon Jones had at least 21.5 sacks. Jones, who famously coined the term "sack," was credited with 173.5 sacks during his legendary career. 

Garrett's name now tops the list of the greatest individual season in NFL history as far as sacks are concerned. In the process, he has all but ended the argument in terms of being the best pass rusher of his era.