Most Sacks in a Season Record shattered by Myles Garrett with 23, leaving Strahan and Watt in dust

Myles Garrett made NFL history today, breaking the single-season sack record with his 23rd sack in Week 18. The Cleveland Browns defensive end surpassed the previous record of 22.5 sacks held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. This achievement caps off a dominant 2025 season for one of the league’s elite pass rushers.

Historic Performance Cements Garrett’s Legacy

Myles Garrett delivered when it mattered most, achieving a milestone that few defenders reach in their careers. After entering Week 18 with 22 sacks, just one away from tying the record, Garrett faced the Cincinnati Bengals with a chance to make history. The 29-year-old edge rusher came through in the fourth quarter, sacking Joe Burrow to secure his place in the record books.

This record stands as one of the most prestigious individual achievements in defensive football. Garrett’s consistency throughout the season, combined with his explosive fourth-quarter production, showcased his ability to perform under pressure when championships and historical moments are on the line.

Breaking the 22.5 Sack Standard Held by Legends

The previous single-season record of 22.5 sacks had been shared between two all-time greats. Michael Strahan set the mark during the 2001 season with the New York Giants, and T.J. Watt matched that total in 2021 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both players are among the most dominant defensive forces in NFL history, making Garrett’s achievement even more significant.

What separates Garrett’s performance is the consistency of his sack production across the entire season. He recorded at least one sack in nine consecutive games at one point during the 2025 season, showcasing sustained excellence. His single-game high included five sacks against one opponent, demonstrating explosive capability when facing vulnerable offenses.

Garrett’s Unstoppable Streak Throughout 2025

Metric	2025 Season	Career Total
Sacks	23.0	125.5
Pro Bowls	Selected (7th time)	7x Pro Bowl
All-Pro Selections	Projected	4x All-Pro
Defensive Player of the Year	2023	1x (2023)

Garrett’s versatility as a pass rusher has been key to his success. The defensive end demonstrated remarkable ability to shed blocks, diagnose plays quickly, and close on quarterbacks with explosive first steps. His sack production ramped up significantly in the middle portion of the season, accumulating 18 sacks over a critical nine-game stretch.

The Cleveland Browns organization has built their defensive identity around Garrett’s production. His career with the franchise began in 2017 as the first overall pick, and he has become the franchise’s all-time sack leader with more than 100 career sacks in a browns uniform alone.

Club-Level Comparisons and Historical Context

Reggie White stands as the gold standard for defensive end production, and Garrett’s work puts him in rare company among the elite pass rushers in NFL history. Through his first nine seasons, only White (137 career sacks in nine seasons) has accumulated more sacks than Garrett’s 125.5. This places him ahead of current Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt for defensive production in comparable timeframes.

Jared Allen holds 22.0 sacks as the third-highest single-season total, and Mark Gastineau also achieved 22.0 during his era. What makes Garrett’s achievement even more impressive is that he accomplished it in a modern NFL environment with rules that favor offensive players and protect quarterbacks more than in previous decades.

What Does This Record Mean for Garrett’s Legacy?

Myles Garrett has firmly cemented himself among the elite defensive players of his generation and in NFL history. The single-season sack record is not just a number—it represents consistency, determination, and peak performance. Garrett’s path to this moment included a previous suspension, injuries, and adversity that made this achievement even more meaningful.

This record will stand as a testament to Garrett’s work ethic and the Cleveland Browns‘ commitment to building around their franchise cornerstone. Whether this record stands for years to come or is broken in the future, Garrett’s name is now permanently etched in the NFL record books alongside legends like Strahan and Watt—but now with a mark that’s all his own.

Sources

• ESPN — Comprehensive sack statistics and career tracking
• Cleveland Browns — Official team announcement and game information
• NFL.com — Official league records and player statistics