The former defensive end of the Cleveland Browns, Myles Garrett, made history last season with his highest sack record at 23 sacks in one single season. Given the success he brought to the team, his sack record came at a cost, revealed Browns’ insider journalist Mary Kay Cabot.

Cabot spoke on Cleveland.com on YouTube on June 19 and revealed details on how the Browns are adjusting to life after Garrett. In conversation with the Browns’ defensive line coach, Jacques Cesaire, Cabot understood that the Browns’ players had to help Garrett bag the record. 

“There was a reticence on the part of some of these other players to steal a little bit of Myles's production,” said Cabot. "Everyone knew that he was going for the sack record, and I think that it was pervasive on this football team. I think those guys knew to back off or just take that last little step off and just pull up a little tiny bit and let Miles get the production.”

On the show, Cabot also revealed something that Cesaire shared about defensive tackle Mason Graham and his record.

“One of the things that stood out in my mind was what he (Jacques Cesaire) said about Mason Graham. He's like, ‘Hey, he could have had six sacks last year, and he's got to basically raise his hand and say that was mine.’”

The point Cabot was making was that some of the sacks credited to Garrett may not be entirely his. If this is true, this will definitely lower Garrett's actual merit for the sacks and somewhat taint his record.

During the week 18 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Garrett sacked their quarterback, Joe Burrow, and broke the NFL’s single-season sack record by scoring his 23 sacks. The record was previously held by the Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan at 22.5 sacks.

Garrett entered the league as the Browns’ No.1 pick during the 2017 NFL Draft. Apart from his sack record, he was the Defensive Player of the Year during the 2023 and 2025 seasons.

On June 1, after nine years with the Browns, Garrett was traded to the LA Rams in exchange for DE Jared Verse and a first-round pick in 2027, a second-round pick in 2028, and a third-round pick in 2029.

Cabot expounded on Jared Verse’s arrival in the Browns camp. She referred to the instance of the defensive guys dancing and laughing around Verse, where the players were “being themselves a little bit more”.

She concluded by saying that Jared Verse will be a great leader on the defensive line.

Insiders Reveal the Difference Between Jared Verse and Myles Garrett

Per Browns insider Matt Battaglino of the Browns Nation, Verse may not deliver as many sacks as Garrett did, but his attitude is seen as a "welcome change" for the entire franchise. 

“Early indications are that Verse, who came to town with a wide smile, a big heart and open arms, will be more of a force multiplier and unifier than Garrett, who’s not as gregarious as Verse, the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year,” wrote Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot.

Battaglino added that Verse’s work ethic and leadership qualities will be advantageous for the Browns' defense.

Cabot concluded by saying that while Garrett routinely skipped the voluntary OTAs, Verse was excited to get on the field and put in the extra effort to get to know his new teammates.

Will Verse’s team-first approach help the Browns more than Garrett’s individual dominance did?

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi