Myles Garrett Says Rodgers, Steelers Were More Worried About Sacks Record Than Win

Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett didn't get the sack he needed to set the single-season NFL sack record during Sunday's game against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, but his team got the 13-6 win.

And that might have been a fine result for both sides if the pass-rusher is to be believed.

"They were more worried about keeping me away from Aaron than getting the win," he told reporters. "And I think that's what came back to bite them."

Garrett wasn't the only franchise legend who felt that way, as Joe Thomas weighed in on the situation on social media:

Rodgers was just 21-of-39 for 168 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions while taking two sacks. He was quick to throw the ball away a number of times when Garrett was potentially closing in on him, and the star pass-rusher was unable to get home for the sack.

Pittsburgh also did its best to avoid the dangerous pass-rusher:

Garrett is still stuck at 22, which is a half-sack behind the all-time record of 22.5 set by T.J. Watt (2021) and Michael Strahan (2001). 

For his part, Rodgers told reporters the sack record "wasn't on my mind" during the game (11:50 mark).

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It was on Garrett's mind leading up to the matchup, and he even told reporters Friday it would be "special" to sack a future Hall of Famer in Rodgers to achieve the mark.

"He's legendary himself, and it's a legendary record I'm here chasing," Garrett said. "That'd be a great one to put a picture on the wall with."

Cleveland may have felt like Pittsburgh was preoccupied with preventing him from getting the record, but there was plenty at stake for Rodgers and Co. A win or tie over the Browns would have clinched the AFC North, but Sunday's loss means the Week 18 showdown between the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens will be for the division crown.

As for Garrett, he will have one more chance to set the record in Week 18 against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.

"Absolutely," he said after the game when asked if he was confident he would get the sack he needs. "Why shouldn't I be? Four more quarters. Sixty more minutes. However you want to draw it up. It'll get done."