DE Myles Garrett (9.5.25)
So how you feeling? How’s the hip feeling right now?
“Feel ready to go.”
This is just something sort of kind of felt, a pinch or something?
“Had some pain yesterday. I’m good today.”
Myles, I know this matchup, we always ask about Joe (Burrow), and you hit him more than any other quarterback in your career, I think. Just how fun have those matchups been for you over these last handful of years here?
“Well, it’s not just Joe (Burrow). I mean, they got the guys they got up front. It’s Ja’Marr (Chase), Tee (Higgins), it’s Chase (Brown). They got a whole bunch of special talents all over their team, so it’s just exciting to be able to compete against them, especially twice.”
How important is the first one, Myles?
“It sets the tone. So, you know, you want to set the year off right and, you know, we’ve got to go out and establish a standard and the direction of the team early.”
There’s been a lot of conversation about culture change. Bubba (Ventrone) mentioned how he feels like the culture is different this year. Do you kind of feel that?
“I do. Like, guys are understanding what it really takes and what it really means to be a professional and to go out there, win games and consistently do it. It’s not just an act of talent, of practicing well, it’s more than that.”
He talked about accountability, feeling like players were holding each other more accountable now, more than ever before. How have you seen the accountability factor between you and your teammates and coaches as you prepare for the season?
“I’ve seen everyone willing to speak up, from the coaches to players. I like how everyone’s…no one’s afraid to speak. Whether you’re the first year or you’re in your 12th year, guys are willing to speak up and let someone know when they need to pick it up or they need more.”
Myles, Jim Schwartz yesterday he kind of stopped short of saying it, but he almost wanted to say this was the best defensive line he’s had since he’s been here. What about you? Is this the best group that you’ve had, do you think since you’ve been here?
“Got to go put it on film.”
Does it have that potential at all?
“I think it has a potential, but at the end of the day, potential is just that until you execute, till you apply it.”
Myles, how do you feel about the fact that you kind of got the edge pressure rolling. You were the first one to put the four in front of that number and you set the bar for all the other guys now that have come after you. I know it wasn’t easy, what you had to do to get to that point, but do you take some sense of pride, or how do you feel about kind of getting that going and now seeing what’s happened?
“I share a sense of pride with some of the guys I’ve been able to talk to, especially Micah (Parsons), you know, him and I had the opportunity to talk through the process, and I’m just happy to see him be somewhere he’s happy and go out there and have an opportunity to play meaningful games. He just wants to play at a high level, compete for a Super Bowl and go for the defensive player of the year. So, I’m happy to see that for him. He’s a hell of a talent.”
One of the things that Jim (Schwartz) said yesterday was that for this game specifically, he talked about how the interior is going to be really important and the defensive crowd can really win this game. So, what have you seen from your team? Just the way that the defense has just grown over the course of the game.
“I’ve seen them work their ass off. You know, the charges led by Maliek (Collins) and Shelby (Harris), really consummate professionals knowing exactly how to get the most out of the younger guys in the position. You know, they’re pulling Adin (Huntington) and Mason (Graham) behind them and showing them the way to work and show them how to run games and it’s been great. There’s so many different ways, especially with the different styles and different body types we have and it’s helped make things more efficient.”
I know it’s not you versus Trey (Hendrickson) and I know these first six games, you guys have so many other good edge rushers that you’re going to have to play against. But what do these matchups like mean to you? Especially knowing Trey (Hendrickson) led the league in sacks last year and what’s it been like seeing him.
“It’s not me versus Trey (Hendrickson), so I don’t think about it like that. I want to be the best player on the field. I plan to lead the league in sacks and it’s not like he’s pass blocking against me. I hope he does well. I hope he goes out and does what he’s supposed to do. I hope I do the same.”
Myles, going back to Micah (Parsons), obviously him and the (Dallas) Cowboys weren’t able to repair that relationship. Why do you think you were able to repair it with the Browns?
“Well, I mean, I wasn’t sleeping on the training table during games. I mean, I think him and I went in two very different ways and this wasn’t relationship I wanted to ruin. There was always a potential of me being back in the same spot which I am now. And now I don’t think that’s what he wanted after discussions with Jerry (Jones) and some of the other people, especially without his agent being present. I feel like that seemed like a show of disrespect the way they were handling the situation, and I think the way ours was handled was a bit more respectful all around.”
Myles, obviously this was a big offseason for you. I’m sure it was emotional for you what you went through and you have the bar set really high for yourself like you said, you want to lead the league in sacks. You’ve talked about Super Bowl, NFL defensive player of the year, so the ball gets going on Sunday. Just how do you feel about going out there and getting this party sort of started.
“I’m excited to see the young guys go out there and ball. There’s a lot of young talent all across the board. You know, seeing Adin (Huntington) play offense and defense. Mason (Graham) getting his first snap and that’s what really gets me going. Seeing them their eyes open to new chapter in their lives and in their careers and seeing what they can really do to work with them.”
Myles, you’ve had some great matchups with Orlando Brown Jr. over the years, but just also they’ve got a rookie at left guard. How do you view going up against this one?
“I mean I know they’ll have majority of attention pointed at me so you know, just trying to plan around that. I know there’ll be some chips, some doubles, there’ll be some slides. So, you know, just trying to get ahead of that, you know, work through the chip plan and you know, our checks for things like that and make sure that I can get a position that I want to on the field to make the plays that we need.”
Myles, two years ago that was such, seems like such a tone setting performance for this defense against Cincinnati. Is that, I mean, does it feel that way for you guys as well? I mean, and how much can a great performance on Sunday sort of set the tone for everything else that kind of follows?
“I mean we’re hoping to do something very similar, and you know, keep those guys mostly contained as much as possible and strike early and try to put the game away and turn it into a passing game by the end of the game and let us front tee off as a four-man front.”
You’ve always had, it seems, the utmost respect for Joe Burrow, I know you love to sack him. I know you love to take him down, but what do you admire so much about him as a quarterback and just what you’ve seen of him over these years?
“That he is just very calm, very supportive of his teammates. Always see him running up to them and celebrating their success. A hell of a competitor, but not a big vocal in your face guy. And he competes, I would say the right way and just have fun doing it. You can see the joy he has in playing the game, but he does it so smooth. He’s got his own style when he’s out there.”
Joe (Burrow) moves pretty well. Can he get away from you if he needs to?
“No.”
Can anybody?
“A couple people have, but not this year.”
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