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It came down to the 17th game of the season, but there is a new single-season sack leader.
Myles Garrett passed Michael Strahan and TJ Watt on the all-time leaderboard and recorded his 23rd sack of the season.
Perhaps many NFL fans will put their own star on the record, as Strahan’s 2001 mark was in a 16-game season. Nevertheless, Garrett’s season is historic.
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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow at Paycor Stadium. The play set a new NFL single-season sack record by Garrett. (Joseph Maiorana/Imagn Images)
Garrett has struggled for the record — he sat on 21.5 sacks through 14 games, but recorded just half a sack in Week 16 and then none last week.
But with just over five minutes left in his season, Garrett was able to take down Joe Burrow to earn the crown.
Garrett got an explosive jump from the right side of the defensive line. Feeling the pressure, Burrow went down before Garrett could destroy him completely.
Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns is carried by teammates after the sack in the fourth quarter of the game against the Bengals at Paycor Stadium on January 4, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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Watt tied Strahan for the 2021 season, reaching the mark in his 17th game of the season. He had four sacks in the penultimate game to give himself a chance.
Garrett is likely to get his second Defensive Player of the Year nod, and he’ll also win in 2023. It’s the first time Garrett has led the NFL in sacks. Entering Sunday, he had 124.5 in his career that began in 2017.
Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns during the New England Patriots game at Gillette Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Garrett, who turned 30 last week, requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns during the offseason, citing his desire to win. However, a record $160 million contract quickly changed his mind, and to Garrett’s credit, he lives up to every penny.
To put the cherry on top, Garrett’s Browns defeated the Bengals, 20-18, on a walk-off field goal.
