Mike Tomlin Denies Focus on Stopping Myles Garrett From Beating TJ Watt’s 22.5 Sack Record

Myles Garrett was angling to get the record against rival TJ Watt's Pittsburgh Steelers but head coach Mike Tomlin ensured it did not happen.

Mike Tomlin Denies Focus on Stopping Myles Garrett From Beating TJ Watt’s 22.5 Sack Record

Myles Garrett and Mike Tomlin (Image via Bleacher Report/X/Imago)

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When the Cleveland Browns welcomed Mike Tomlin and his hot-handed Pittsburgh Steelers into Huntington Bank Field, everyone’s eyes were fixated on Myles Garrett and the possibility of him setting a new NFL record.

He was standing pat with 22 sacks, which meant he was just 1 quarterback takedown from settling a new single-season sack record, currently held jointly by Michael Strahan and TJ Watt with 22.5. With the latter not playing due to the lung injury he suffered, he watched as his teammates did their job to stop his perennial rival from overcoming his record.

Considering how the two have exchanged words about who is the best pass rusher in the league on numerous occasions, reporters asked Mike Tomlin if there was a deliberate attempt to stop Myles Garrett from surpassing Watt’s record.

We didn’t do anything against Myles that we don’t normally do against Myles. The sack record’s irrelevant. We’ve got to minimize him if we were to engineer a victory… It’s just standard business when you are playing these guys and him.

Mike Tomlin replied

The 53-year-old head coach emphasized that they followed the same game plan against the Browns’ star pass rusher in their previous encounter in Week 6 when Garrett failed to notch a sack.

Therefore, they had nothing in particular about the record or that they were protecting TJ Watt’s legacy. Rather, they followed what they knew would help them win.

That plan did succeed in keeping Garrett off Aaron Rodgers‘ back, but it ended up costing them a win, as the Browns’ defense used the extra attention on their best player to stop the away team from scoring a single touchdown.

Myles Garrett claims Steelers’ focus on him cost them the game

Mike Tomlin might be right to say that his team was not focused on stopping Myles Garrett from getting that 1 sack. However, the superstar pass rusher felt the Steelers were focused on ensuring TJ Watt kept his record.

Myles Garrett and TJ Watt
Myles Garrett and TJ Watt (Image via Polymarket Football/X)

They were more worried about keeping me away from Aaron (Rodgers) than getting the win. That’s what came back to bite them.

Myles Garrett told reporters after the game

Garrett might have felt that their game plan was deliberate, as there was no better way than setting a new NFL record against the great Aaron Rodgers and against his rival’s team. That would have helped him to have the last laugh.

The 30-year-old claimed the Pittsburgh Steelers deliberately focused on stopping him from sacking Aaron Rodgers. That ended up costing them the game, as his teammates did what was necessary to push their opponents to the brink of losing the AFC North.

Myles Garrett confident he will get the record in Week 18

Myles Garrett was happy that his team got the win, which now leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers in a do-or-die situation next week. The Texas A&M star, though, is not regretting his missed opportunity.

Absolutely. Why shouldn’t I be? Four more quarters. 60 more minutes. However, you want to draw it up, it’ll get done.

Myles Garrett replied

The Browns’ star will need to keep that confidence high when he takes the four-hour bus ride to Paycor Stadium next week. He will be facing one of the worst offensive lines in the league, which should make his task a lot easier.

All eyes will be on him to set the new record, as the league has been starved of a standout performance this season. If he does not succeed, this season will be one where he might regret not wrapping up the record earlier.

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