Garrett wants to set NFL sack record vs. 'legendary' Rodgers
One sack away from breaking the NFL's single-season record, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett said it would be "special" to set the new benchmark with a takedown of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Garrett enters Sunday's home matchup against the Steelers with 22 sacks on the campaign. He's just a half-sack away from tying the single-season record that's currently shared by Michael Strahan (2001) and T.J. Watt (2021).
Garrett's next full sack would see him make history.
"(Rodgers is) legendary himself, and it's a legendary record I'm here chasing," Garrett told reporters Friday, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "That'd be a great one to put a picture on the wall with."
The Pro Bowl pass-rusher hasn't been able to bring Rodgers to the ground in their previous two matchups, including the Steelers' 23-9 win over the Browns in Week 6.
However, Garrett has enjoyed success against Pittsburgh when playing at home in recent years. He's recorded five total sacks in his last two home games against the Browns' division rivals.
"Myles Garrett has certainly been an issue for us in that venue ... He's at the doorstep of history, and so we certainly have respect for that," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, according to Oyefusi.
The Steelers could enter Sunday's game having already clinched a playoff spot if the Baltimore Ravens lose to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. Pittsburgh could start Mason Rudolph if Tomlin opts to rest some of his starters, including Rodgers, in that scenario.
While Garrett prefers to secure the record against Rodgers, he admitted "it makes no difference" to him if it's the legendary quarterback or the backup under center Sunday, per Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.
Cleveland's star pass-rusher also downplayed the idea of feeling any pressure to break the record with two games remaining on the schedule.
"Pressure? Nah, no pressure," Garrett said. "Like I said, (the record is) going down, so I'm not stressed or worried about if I'm going to get it. It's just a matter of when."