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Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett is expected to have a monster season.
One of Myles Garrett’s former foes dubbed him the NFL’s top “nightmare” matchup and predicted a career year for the Cleveland Browns star.
Former Pro Bowl offensive lineman Terron Armstead went up against Myles Garrett a few times during his 12-year NFL career and knows firsthand how dominant the former No. 1 pick can be. Armstead believes Garrett has only gotten better with time and sees him finally cracking the elusive 20-sack mark this season for the Browns.
“He’s a problem. He has 0.5% body fat, so you’re looking at this guy before he gets in his stance — it doesn’t make sense. His ability to have so much power, to be that size, but can rush being just inches off the ground,” Armstead said during an appearance on Good Morning Football. “He’s added more elements to his game. Now you see the progression he’s made going into 2025. He’s going to touch 20 sacks.”
Since 1982, when the official sack statistic was implemented, only 12 players have achieved 20 sacks in a season. Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt was the most recent player to accomplish the feat in 2021.
Garrett has a decorated resume that includes a Defensive Player of the Year honor, six All-Pro nods and six Pro Bowl selections. But he’s never had more than 16 sacks in a season.
The other pass-rushers on Armstead’s list were Maxx Crosby (Raiders), Trey Hendrickson (Bengals), Chop Robinson (Dolphins) and Jared Verse (Rams).
Browns Star Myles Garrett Predicts Big Season
Garrett’s offseason began on a rocky note. After the Browns stumbled to a 4-13 finish, he publicly requested a trade, expressing his desire to join a contender and chase a championship.
However, in a reversal, Garrett recommitted to Cleveland by signing a record-breaking four-year, $160 million extension —the richest deal ever for a defensive player. The new contract ties him to the Browns through the 2030 season.
Now, with the off-field drama in the rearview, Garrett is focused on raising the bar once again. He believes this season has the potential to be his best yet, which is no small feat, given the elite standard he has already set.
“I mean, I look forward to having my best season for sure, and I think it’s trending that way. Been really good, and I think everything’s pointed in that direction,” Garrett said during minicamp. “And I like where we are as a defensive unit. It’s really firing, really rolling, and I think it’s really clicking as far as the scheme and the plays, especially early on. That’s big.”
Myles Garrett Needs Help From Rest of Browns DL
Garrett frequently battles double — and sometimes even triple — teams on his path to the quarterback. To ease that burden, the Browns will need consistent contributions from the rest of their defensive front.
“We need four rushers working together at all times. So it’s not just about Myles and a sidekick, or Myles and somebody else on the other side of him. It’s just four guys working together to rush the quarterback,” Browns defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire said. “That has to be coordinated and everybody has to have some kind of rush ability. If you only have one guy with rush ability out there, then that guy’s going to have a freaking long day and the rest of those guys going to be stuck on the line of scrimmage.”
The Browns bolstered their defensive front by selecting standout defensive tackle Mason Graham with the No. 5 overall pick. He’ll be joined in the interior rotation by Mike Hall Jr., a former second-round pick who’s returning from knee surgery.
On the edge opposite Myles Garrett, Cleveland will look for production from Alex Wright, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, and Isaiah McGuire as they battle for snaps and aim to solidify the pass rush. The Browns parted ways with veteran defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo earlier this month.
J.R. DeGroote JR DeGroote is a staff writer for Heavy.com, where he has covered the NFL, NBA, and trending sports stories since 2019. His work focuses on some of the most passionate fanbases in sports, including reporting on the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers. More about J.R. DeGroote
