DE Myles Garrett (11.30.25)
Hey Myles, Kevin (Stefanski) talked about how the defense was put in such bad spots today. So how did you guys think you handled it given the short field you were given all game?
“Not well enough. You know, we gotta hold those short fields to three or less. And we know we have a higher standard than what we showed down on the field today.”
Did the 49ers do anything that you were not prepared for?
“No. I mean, we kind of went over a whole bunch of different scenarios and different schemes that we were going to run. So we were well prepared, and we just got to execute a little bit better.”
Myles, as a defensive player, what’s going through your mind when the offense or Kevin makes that call to keep the offense on the field, especially in their own territory? Are you thinking like “Pin them back, let’s just keep playing strong defense, I like the aggressiveness,” what’s going through your mind when you see those kinds of aggressive calls from the offense?
“I mean, whatever happens, we got to put the fire out. So, you know, if they end up converting, then, you know, we just got to be ready when the time’s called, and if they don’t, then we’re up right now, you know, lock in. Everybody understand what your job is, and, you know, let’s get the ball back to the offense. Let’s get them back in rhythm.”
How good a job did (Brock) Purdy do getting rid of the ball? It looked like you had a bunch of pressure, but you were only able to get to him one time.
“Yeah, I feel like there were a lot of ops. Well, there seemed like there were a lot of ops, with how close it was. But, you know, he likes getting out on time or, you know, he sees me, and, you know, credit to him, he also avoided the rush pretty well, too. So him getting the ball out on time, them having a solid unit as well, you know, chipping, those kind of things. They were doing what they do best.
It looked like you said something to him one time when you got close. Can you share that with us?
“It was something like, ‘Just get me another one’.”
Myles, there was a moment, I think it was after Maliek went down, where like Jauan Jennings was talking with some guy, just what happened on the field after that?
“Well, I can’t speak for how he was raised, but if you have nothing good to say, don’t say something to somebody. So he had a lot to say that was demeaning and disparaging towards some of our players. And Iwas just trying to separate everybody. And I tried to go up and ask for what the problem was, and then he started coming at me and, I mean, some guys just roll like that. I don’t feel like that belongs in the game. But, hey, if that works for him and them, then more power to him. But I’m just trying to keep my guys focused on the game and not worried about stuff outside of it because we’re focused on what’s on the field.”
Does none of that have to do with Maliek, how Maliek got hurt or anything like that?
“No, he was just yapping.”
So, speaking of Maliek and him getting hurt, just how hard is it to see him get carted off? What a nice job has he done for you guys this whole entire season?
“He’s been amazing. He’s done a great job. I mean as far as his trajectory, he was going to have a double-digit sack season which he had yet to do. And it sucks seeing him go down, and just hurt seeing that look on his face, just disappointed, knowing that he had so much left for the year and giving more to this team. So, we’re behind him 100% and we’re going to support him however we can.”
Wyatt was talking about how you guys are such a young team and sometimes gelling takes time in those situations. How do you balance patience with some of the young guys along with obviously your urgency to win every week?
“Time waits for no man, you know, got to be urgent with everyone. It’s not just the older guys who’ve been through it. No, the young guys got to understand this goes by quick. Little did I know, I’d be nine years in, talking to you all. So don’t take any time for granted. No, we got to win now.”
The fact that you guys are going to finish with a losing record, Myles, and you’ve been talking so optimistically. How tough is that knowing that’s set in now, the playoffs are really unlikely?
”I don’t know how unlikely they are but we got to continue to fight to win. Whoever’s our next opponent, they’re going to get our very best and let the chips fall as they may. I can’t worry about how the end result’s going to be. Just worry about giving it your very best every play.”
How have your first nine years in the league taught you about managing, like what you said about “it goes by quick,” what has that, your experience, taught you about since you’ve been in the league?
“Every second is a gift, so don’t waste any of it. You’re either getting better or you’re getting worse. Whether that’s a workday, an off day. Do something that helps improve who you are as a person and as a player to help adding, putting pennies, nickels and dimes into that piggy bank until you achieve the goals you have set out for yourself. And I think as a player I’ve developed a lot. I think I came in pretty raw, and I had to work on my craft. And I think that can be said for a lot of guys in there. But they continue to work and continue to grind and that’s life. That’s football. You got to continue to work at who you want to become and who you want to be. And we know this isn’t good enough. So we got to continue to go back to the whetstone.”
Hey Myles, Shedeur (Sanders) has talked about learning to be a better leader, pulling guys together. How difficult is that for a young guy, for a rookie, even in his position, to do that, to learn how to be a better leader?
“I think the main hurdle to get over when you’re a young guy and they’re trying to be a leader is the fact that you really don’t understand or realize if you have that platform yet. You just kind of have to be, you know, given to you. You kind of have to be, you know, pushed into it or guided into it. You know, let yourself, be that person, have that role. And that’s by us as veterans enabling that, those younger guys, those first, second, third year guys. Let them know that, you know, this is our team just as much as yours. Take ownership of it and don’t be afraid to say what’s on your mind. If you see something, say something. This game, like I said, it goes by quick, so we can’t be mincing words just because we’re scared to say something or you don’t feel like you have the right, yet, everyone has the right to say something as long as you’re out there giving your very best, speak up.”
# # #
***Visit the Browns Media Center for materials provided by the Browns communications department, including media schedules, press releases, quotes, photos, media guides, rosters, depth charts and more.***