DE Myles Garrett (12.28.25)
First of all, how good does it feel to, you know, to beat the Steelers to prevent them from clinching and to close out the season like that at home against a division rival?
“It feels great. They’re our rival, we always want to beat them, doesn’t matter the circumstances. And we line up, you know, we want to beat those guys and so glad to have opportunity to do it and get the job done.”
Did it feel like you came close a couple times to the record?
“For sure. But I mean, they kind of fell into the same line of thinking that the (Green Bay) Packers did. You know, we’ll just throw everything at them and see if we can muster effort to win without it.”
How much do you feel, Myles, that your presence like, intimidated them to throw as quickly as they did quick?
“Quick? I mean, that’s their M.O. But of course they’re going to throw even quicker when I’m lined up knowing on that side, you know, they had a chipper there sometimes two chippers.And through getting out quick, you know, sometimes they’re rolling away, they’re doing a little bit of everything. And I kind of come to expect that. I know they didn’t want me to be the one to break it against them.”
I know you talked about playing hard to the end and all that, but what does it say about this team to do that in week 17 against a team trying to get to the playoffs?
“Shows heart, man. Shows grit. I’m proud of those guys in there. It’s not easy getting up out of bed and doing what you’re supposed to do, taking care of business, preparing the way you did at the beginning of the season, knowing that the end is in sight. But that’s how you’re measured as a man, as a football player. Know what you’re doing when your backs against the wall or the writings against the wall. So those guys had a choice and we made the choice to come out there and get the job done, get a win.”
How nice was it to see Denzel (Ward) just close out that game there in the end? You guys have been together so long. Just how good did that feel to see him be able to do that?
“I mean, he’s a foundational piece for a reason. The guy’s special. Anytime he’s on the field, he’s a game changer. He’s a playmaker. I’m not surprised that he was the one that came up with the big play to win it for us.”
Myles, on the other side, Tyson (Campbell), his first game was like against these guys, like three days after he… And just the way he has sort of settled in and made, I mean, I thought tonight, multiple plays, you know, the winning plays, the breakup passes. Just what has he meant on the other side of that secondary?
“I mean, the secondary was crucial today in general. You know, they’re trying to get it out quick. You know, we got to be sticking in coverage. We gotta be on them quick and gotta use those five yards to, you know, hold them up and try at least to give ourselves time to get to the rush. But if not, you know, you gotta be there when the ball’s out. I mean, they were everywhere. They were, they were making plays across the field. I mean, DB (Devin Bush) punched out the ball. There were multiple forced fumbles from the line behind us. So those guys were just intent on coming out of here with a win. And that’s the kind of attitude we want for the rest of the season.”
How much do you guys also love to go out there and lay it on the line and fight so hard for Kevin Stefanski as your head coach?
“Man, we fight for each other. I mean, that’s everybody. I mean, I don’t think they’re fighting so hard because of me. I don’t think they’re fighting too hard because of Kevin, we fight because we have each other – this is a brotherhood. You don’t get a second chance at this. So you want to make the most of it every time you step on the field. And you know what the guy next to you has put into it, what this means to him. And you don’t want to take this for granted for one second.”
Alex (Wright) is saying he doesn’t give a crap about draft picks. I know there’s fan sentiment but that’s all that’s left for you guys. What context do people miss when they say that the Browns are just playing for draft picks?
“No one signed up to lose. No one signed up to lose at all. So I don’t care what the situation is with the record. Not a single one of us want to line up and lay down to a team or a man that’s in front of us. No, we got put here in this place or selected, whatever it was – drafted to come here and win. Has it always been that way? No, but I’ll be damned if I’m just going to go out there and lay down to another team just because we want some more draft picks. That’s not me.”
Happy early birthday, Myles. On that last drive with the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers, what were your thoughts as he was moving the ball down the field and you guys are finally able to make that stand?
“It’s not going to be us. I’ve seen it a thousand times with this guy. I mean, he’s incredible in making it happen, but it’s not going to be us. Just got to make one play and stack those one play at a time – get to fourth down and what happens, happens. But can’t let it be us. We can’t be in his Hall of Fame run.”
Still as confident as ever if you get the record next week?
“Absolutely. Why shouldn’t I be… Four more quarters, 60 more minutes. However you want to draw it up, it’ll get done.”
I mean, you were bearing down and it was just like, almost like you take the football. I mean, on a couple of those plays, the way he was, you know, just throwing it out there to (Jaylen) Warren or (Kenneth) Gainwell or something like that. I mean, is that what you’re talking about? Just the way. Even more so than usual, getting rid of the ball quick.
“Yeah. I mean, to an extent. I feel like they were more worried about keeping me away from Aaron than getting the win, and I think that’s what came back to bite him. So they’ll have to fight it out with Baltimore (Ravens) next week. But I’m just proud of the guys for fighting and getting this one. That’s the main thing. And I’m always going to keep it that.”
Myles, even though the season didn’t go the way that you guys wanted it to, is there something special about this team, just in terms of heart and soul and brotherhood and all that kind of stuff?
“Yeah. I mean, regardless of the record and what’s happened on the field, I’m completely proud of these guys and how much they’ve grown as men and the kind of camaraderie and team we have. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy and excited to go to work just being alongside those guys. Whether it’s D-line, whether it’s offense, linebackers, the secondary, those guys, they not only made me proud, but made me proud to be a Brown. They made me proud to do this and be here every day. So I’m happy to just wake up and have the opportunity to play with them.”
# # #
***Visit the for materials provided by the Browns communications department, including media schedules, press releases, quotes, photos, media guides, rosters, depth charts and more.***