DE Myles Garrett (12.5.25)
Myles (Garrett), you think you got four in you on Sunday?
“I mean, I’ll go for four, but I respect that team over there and what they can do. So, I got to make sure we stop the run and earn four opportunities, in which I can make that happen.”
What have you seen on film, just with the fact Cam’s (Ward) been sacked 48 times, the most of any quarterback in the league, and what kind of opportunities there might be?
“I mean, it’s just – he’s just got to take his time to experience the flow of the game and the pace of the game and try to analyze things, and I think that’s just kind of leading to what it is now. He’s talented, he’s a playmaker, and he has great arm talent. The game’s got to slow down a little bit more for him, and I think it will.”
That being said, are you licking your chops when you see where you’re going against a team that’s given up the most sacks?
“I lick my chops against anybody. So, it’s no different here.”
When did you land on 25 as the number? Was that a preseason goal or was that something that came about as the season went along?
“I set that goal three years ago for myself. I had a dream, or I had that written on my tape and I was going to get 25, and I feel like that was just meant to be.”
Only 25, you don’t have higher expectations for yourself?
“Well, after 25, I’m just going to write something else.”
Last week on the pre-game show, Michael Strahan said he wants you to obliterate his record. It doesn’t happen in sports a lot, but what does that mean to you?
“Well, I’m glad he didn’t have the response Eric Dickerson had to Saquon (Barkley). So, him being a friend of mine, it means a lot. Him wanting that for me and wanting the best for me is special, and I’m hoping I can continue to chip away at it and knock it down – make him proud, make my family proud, and I’ll continue just playing ball at a high level – help this team.”
Myles, we’ve seen the euro step, we’ve seen you go between the legs before the snap before. How much of that is intentional or how much is there a natural crossover from your basketball background to your pass rush?
“It’s intentionally basketball related, yeah. As far as those moves, those are just like jumping through a double team on the basketball court, it’s like jumping through a gap on a football field and the jab step is like a jab cross. And all those things kind of translate over. Now, the physicality is a little different, but, when you get in that open space and you’re able to clear the dance floor, it’s time to make a move.”
Do you take any advice from NBA players on a move like that?
“Do I take advice? Nah. But I definitely watched a lot of guys and try to take a little inspiration.”
So, do you intentionally go a little wider to create space before you try that?
“I do. Whether that’s – whether I’m over a guard or a center or on the edge, and I try to make space so I can get into the move that I want to.”
When did you choose football over basketball?
“When did I? I don’t know if I can tell you-”
In your mind, did you say like, this is my ticket?
“It was probably my first year in college where I figured basketball’s not good on the knees, and I’m better at it than basketball currently. And most of all, I wanted to be able to take care of my family. So, that was the main priority, so, ended up picking this and it’s been good to me.”
Myles, I saw a clip with Trent Williams embracing you after the game on NFL.com and he said that you’re the best ever to do it. And I’m just wondering, what does that mean to you coming from Trent Williams?
“I mean, it means a lot, he’s one of the best to ever do it. Iron sharpens iron, so I’m glad to be able to go against him and earn his respect and make him have a difficult day. I mean, he didn’t make it easy on me either. So, hopefully when it’s all said and done and we’re in a different place, we can run it back in our primes. But I’m glad to get that experience and I look forward to continuing to have those kinds of moments with people who are coming into the game themselves, with rookies, and sophomores and offensive lineman who are also looking to make a name for themselves.”
You play all over, position wise, on that line. Do you still get excitement when you’re not in that traditional edge spot? When you’re in a different than normal spot, are you still excited or is it normal to you now?
“I still get excited. I mean, when I’m lined up over a guard, I’m like, just can’t let him plant me, I might not ever get this chance again. And, like, I can’t have him going back home and telling his kid, ‘hey look who I blocked today’. So, when I get those moments, I’m excited, and I’m just like, ‘it’s got to be your best move right now’.”
Hey Myles, obviously you’ve been a great athlete your entire time in the league, before that. How much do you think that what you’re able to do now stems from the mental part of the game and your knowledge of the game coming up and ascending and matching some of that athleticism?
“I think it’s helped a lot. I’ve had some good coaches along the way expand my football IQ and rush technique and knowledge, as far as, telling me to get out there and get that space, allowing me to try to make those two consecutive second rushes instead of one whenever I have a wide chipper or a back like that. Them breaking it down like that made the game a lot easier, and so I continue to study the game and be a student of it. I think that’s helped take my game to another level, but just also my teammates, being able to work with them and create those opportunities, them being willing to work with me, do these games and working at a high level – that’s something I haven’t experienced my whole time in the league. But it’s only gotten better and better.”
Myles, you talked about the euro step. You’re playing at such a high level. How often do you line up, and you know that you’re gonna pull something out of your bag that they can’t stop? Or is it every time? I mean, because the level you’re playing at, obviously it’s like there’s got to be a level of confidence that comes with that – you have confidence in yourself always. But what’s that like, when you approach the line and you know there’s almost nothing that somebody can do?
“What is it like? I don’t know. For me, it’s just going about my day. I mean, you don’t think about walking – that’s how I treat it.”
What does it say that so many of your teammates have rallied around, trying to do whatever it takes to help you get that sack record, that they’ve bought in so much, they want to see you do it and do it early?
“I mean, to even be at this point – it’s all thanks to them. I couldn’t do it without the effort and the time they put in to make us this good as a group on defense. Now we’re as good as we ever have been in my time here, and we’re consistently rushing and stopping the run at a high level. So, they’ve created these opportunities. I hope to see us all go out there and feast. So, it’s not just me. I want to be able to return their favor and allow them to go there and get their numbers as well.”
Because you’ve gotten so close to this record right now, do you feel pressure to get it? Are you looking forward to getting it as fast as possible, so maybe it’s not in your head at all?
“I mean, I think y’ all think about it a little bit more than I do. At the end of the day, I want to win most of all, like I said, if I get the record, I want it to be in a win. And whatever it takes, if I get .5 or one or if I get none and we win, I’m just glad to have a win. I like to see the smile on the guys’ faces after a win, that kind of pressure leaving their shoulders. I feel like there’s so much pressure to win right now and as there should be. There should be urgency and guys expecting to win. And I think the sacks help that, so I give that everything I can and settle with the result.”
Should you get there, what do you want the record-breaking sack to look like?
“I don’t care how it looks as long as I get it. I want it to look like a game winner.”
Over the years, a lot of different position coaches of yours would say, ‘he’s got another gear, we want to get another gear.’ And it seems like you have finally hit that other gear. What was the key to unlocking this next gear that you’re on?
“I don’t think there’s any other gear. I think I’m still in sixth, seventh gear, which I have been for the last four or five years. And I think just the combination of great coaching and great teammates has helped get me these matchups that I’ve been able to win. I think I’ve been able to win against doubles and singles for the majority of my career, and now that other guys are winning at a high level, that just creates more opportunities and we’re making the most out of it, including myself.”
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