DE Myles Garrett (12.27.24)
First of all, we talked to Joel (Bitonio) yesterday and he talked about giving it a couple weeks and then seeing what he would think about coming back. My question to you is how good is Joel Bitonio, how good of a guard has he been throughout the entire time that you’ve been here?
“He’s damn good. He’s one of the best of this generation. He’s been as healthy as any of the elite and top guys and definitely performed at an elite level of all the years that I’ve been here. So, I have a massive amount of respect. He’s shown he can play across the line from tackle to guard. At center I’ve seen him take snaps. So, he’s definitely one of the best that I’ve seen.”
How is he just as a leader on this team as the longest tenured player on the roster?
“Just complete consistency. Whether it’s demeanor or performance, you know exactly what you’re going to get out of him. He’s been the foundation for that room since Joe (Thomas) left and he’s been a great example for the young guys.”
How much would you want him to come back next year and keep at it?
“I want him to do the best for his family and his body at the end of the day. The game’s going to end and I want him to feel good bending over, picking up his kids and going to the park or to school, wherever it is. All those things matter a little bit more than another game that we play. But as a football player, absolutely I want him back. The guy’s great.”
Since your comments last week, have you had any discussions with the front office on kind of keeping plans aligned with you?
“A few.”
Do you feel any better about things?
“I mean, we still have room for discussion at the end of the year as well.”
Do you think your teammates like that you kind of went public with it because they’re thinking the same thing you are?
“I think they want to know what’s coming next as well. So, I haven’t really heard too many people speak up on whether they liked my comments or not. Everyone’s kind of feeling the same way, but I’m not going to assume. And so, I’ll have my answer at the end of the year, I mean, so we’re told. We just got to finish strong.”
When we talked to you last time, you mentioned that those conversations would take place after the season. So, I’m just wondering did somebody, did Jimmy (Haslam) or Andrew (Berry) or somebody kind of approach you to maybe kind of initiate an early version of the discussion?
“I wouldn’t say initiate an early version of the discussion. Just wanted to see where my head was at and what I was thinking. And I’m just trying to keep things in house in house.”
So, 29 on the 29th. Is that significant to you?
“Significant for y’all. Got to keep on telling me I’m not young anymore.”
I’ve never said that.
“I guess they did, I don’t know. What is it they say, like your golden birthday? At the end of the day, it’s just another day. I feel it’s more of a day to celebrate the people who helped me see this 29th birthday. So, I’m glad to have my family around, my friends around and being able to show them how much I appreciate and care for them. That’s much more special than celebrating myself.”
What would getting those 14 sacks mean to you to be the only one to do that and four straight years?
“I think that’d be pretty damn cool. Stand alone in that regard. And again, something that my dad can go back on and be appreciative of. I’m big on making him proud because he’s a big football guy. His drive and love for the game became my own as I was starting out. So, it’s been pretty cool to be able to get that.”
Did your dad point that record out to you or did you research that on your own?
“Any record that I’m close to, I get a little… So yeah, he let me know. I’m not really too tapped in on all that stuff. He lets me know pretty early.”
Besides you, who’s his favorite player?
“Mel Blount.”
How hard is it to pursue a personal goal within the scope of a game and do it also within the scope of the team?
“I mean, I do my job. I’m one of 11, My job is to rush the passer when they’re throwing the ball out. I can’t go out of my assignment to chase anything that’s just for me or just an individual goal. At the end of the day, if it’s there for me and I can rush and make that play, I’m actually going to do my thing. But if that’s not in the cards, if they choose to go about it a different way and my responsibility is something different, I’m not going to go against the grain to try to chase something. I’m going to do what it takes to win.”
Going back to the comments. Have you always felt like you had that ability in this organization to speak up like that or was that something you felt like you had to sort of earn through what you’ve done on the field, what you’ve done as you have developed yourself as a leader in this locker room?
“I feel like as time went by, I was able to earn that position. I don’t think anyone comes in with that kind of respect or platform. And I felt, as the years went by, I proved who I was, and we started winning games. I enabled myself to be able to speak up in certain positions, but I’m going to use this platform for certain things, and I’ll use my opportunities upstairs to speak with upper management for certain things.”
You’ve had harder years, wins and losses wise, too, compared to this year. Were there ever earlier points you felt like you might say something?
“I mean, the only more disappointing year was the first year, and I didn’t have the position to say anything.”
Do you feel like in order to be strongly, strongly considered for NFL Defensive Player of the Year again, do you feel like the team needs to be winning, or do you still think that you’ll be right up there?
“I don’t know. I don’t really think about it when I lay down in bed. At the end of the day, winning has to be taken into account, but it’s also the defensive player of the year. Who’s the best player on defense? And I think you have to integrate both. As I said, at the end of the day, whoever was out there making plays and being the most disruptive should be weighed a little bit heavier than the absolute result of the game or of the season. But I think those should definitely be taken into account.”
Are there people that have encouraged you to be more vocal that you’ve come around? I mean, I know you’ve worked out with LeBron (James), you’re wrapped in different circles sometimes, things like that. Are there other athletes who have encouraged you to do that or kind of shown you the way?
“I mean, LeBron for sure. I mean, he’s seen everything on the sports side of it, and his advice has been very valuable. Him, his team, just being able to be around him and learn from him. That’s been very useful these last couple of years and there have been more along the way. But definitely using my platform, using my voice to my benefit and my team’s benefit.”
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