Do you agree with this take about Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett?
ESPN NFL analyst Bill Barnwell believes Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett "has been the best player in football this season."
Garrett leads the NFL with 20.0 sacks and 31 tackles for loss. He also has 39 solo tackles and 32 QB hits.
"But Garrett, who is having one of the great defensive seasons in NFL history, is on pace for a record," Barnwell wrote. "He has 20 sacks in 13 games, seven more than anybody else. That puts the Browns star on pace for 26 sacks, which would blow away the NFL's single-season sack record of 22.5, set by Michael Strahan in 2001 and then tied by T.J. Watt in 2021. Watt and Garrett both have the 17th game, which obviously helps, but Garrett is actually on pace to break that record with weeks to spare.
"No player in NFL history had racked up 20 sacks through the first 13 games of their team's season before Garrett, with Aldon Smith's 19.5 sacks in 2012 and Bruce Smith's 19 in 1990 as the top seasons through 13 games before now. Strahan had 21.5 sacks in a 13-game span during his record-setting season, but we're talking about the absolute rarest of air for pass rushers."
Garrett could win his second Defensive Player of the Year Award this season. Unfortunately for the future Hall of Famer, his team is arguably the worst squad in the league.
The Browns are 3-10. They will miss the playoffs despite Garrett putting up video game numbers.
Garrett requested a trade from the Browns in February. One month later, Cleveland signed the defensive end to a four-year extension that averages $40 million per year and includes $123 million guaranteed.
Garrett is under contract with the Browns for the next six seasons. Along with the no-trade clause, Garrett's new deal includes $100 million in the first three years, $1 million in yearly workout bonuses and $88.8 million in execution guarantees.
Garrett deserves to play for a winning franchise. He should request a trade this offseason and pick a winning franchise. Because he has a no-trade clause in his contract, Garrett can choose his next team if he requests a trade.
If Garrett requests a trade this offseason, the Browns would incur $41 million in dead cap charges, according to NFL insider Dan Graziano of ESPN.