Myles Garrett is having a phenomenal season, and there is no debate about that. The Cleveland Browns have allowed only 22.5 points per game despite losing 9 out of the 12 games played, thanks to Garrett being the wall in defense. Even the best quarterbacks would be extra cautious this season, given how he is sacking them. Now he even has Al 'Bubba' Baker’s backing to break the record. 

Speaking with Tony Grossi, Baker said he's rooting for Myles Garrett to break both the official and unofficial sack record. "Myles Garrett will break the 23 because he's driven. And I guarantee you he knows Al 'Bubba' Baker has 23. So that's what he'll break and that's what he wants to break. And he'll do it because that's how [pass rushers'] mindsets are,” he said. 

Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt are tied for the record of most sacks in an NFL season, sitting at 22.5. But the NFL didn't start tracking sacks until 1982. So after Pro Football Reference analyzed box scores and film from 1960 to 1982, the unofficial record belongs to Baker, 23 made in 1978 with the Detroit Lions' famed Silver Rush. And the former player believes Myles Garrett is going past that. 

Garrett already has the most sacks this season, 19. It is three more sacks than three entire teams (Cincinnati: 18, Carolina: 18, San Francisco: 16), and he also has three games with at least three sacks. Only Lawrence Taylor has more in a season (four in his MVP 1986 season). Praising Garrett, Baker also said that he is an outstanding defensive end, arguably the best in the NFL for years, and dominates games with his impact, especially in sacks.

Baker added, "I can guarantee you that. He knows about the record. He knows he wants to shut me or anybody else up. He doesn't want 22 and a half. He wants 25, 27. And he can do it. That's the way we think.” As of now, the Browns player is projected for 26 sacks this season, breaking all records. Though after that, he might have another target. 

Myles Garrett can go for another sack record

Al 'Bubba' Baker was quick to recognize Garrett as a “freak”, calling him “faster than the running backs in my day.” He does believe that he will break his single-season sack record, but he did not call him the best pass rusher of all time.

"It's very premature, because the best pass rusher of all time has 200 [sacks]," Baker said. "His name is Bruce Smith." 2009 HOF, Bruce Smith played 19 seasons for the Bills and Redskins. He had 85 solo tackles, 28 assists, 200.0 sacks, 15 fumble recoveries, and 2 interceptions.

Garrett has played 9 seasons for the Browns. He has had 285 solo tackles, 116 assists, 6 fumble recoveries, and 121.5 sacks. While there is a big difference, he still has the 23rd most sacks of all time.

Can he get to the 200? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Joyita Das