Myles Garrett didn’t just celebrate signing the richest defensive contract in NFL history—he already has his sights set on raising the bar even higher on the field.
Fresh off inking a five-year, $160 million extension with the Cleveland Browns, Garrett kept it simple: “I look forward to having my best season, for sure.” Coming from a guy who just secured $123 million guaranteed, that’s not just talk. That’s a promise.
The Browns star edge rusher knows that big money comes with big expectations. After putting up 14 sacks last season (his eighth in the league), you’d think he might coast a little. Not Garrett. He made it clear at minicamp that this contract isn’t some victory lap. “This is just another opportunity to prove what I can do,” he said.
Myles Garrett Sets Sights on Aaron Rodgers After Record Contract
Speaking of proving things, Garrett’s already circled a name on his calendar: Aaron Rodgers. The future Hall of Famer just joined the Steelers, and Garrett’s practically licking his chops. Their only meeting back in 2021? Zero sacks for Garrett. That’s been eating at him.
“Aaron’s a legend,” Garrett admitted, “but I’m ready to put his name on my graveyard this year.” (For those who don’t know, Garrett famously decorates his yard every Halloween with tombstones bearing the names of QBs he’s sacked. It’s both hilarious and terrifying.)
#Browns DE Myles Garrett on Aaron Rodgers joining the #Steelers: “I think it’s a good opportunity to put him in the graveyard.” 🪦 pic.twitter.com/RELFCfpqug
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 10, 2025
The Browns and Steelers face off twice in 2025, and you can bet Garrett’s got those dates memorized. Adding Rodgers to the AFC North just turned up the heat on what was already the NFL’s nastiest division.
What Garrett’s $160 Million Deal Means for the Browns Defense
GM Andrew Berry called the extension a “statement of intent,” and he’s not wrong. Locking up Garrett through 2030 gives Cleveland the kind of defensive cornerstone most teams dream about. Coach Kevin Stefanski pointed out that Garrett’s work ethic basically shames everyone else into working harder (my words, not his).
But here’s what’s interesting: Garrett’s not just thinking about his own stats. He talked about mentoring the younger guys, teaching them the little things that turn good pass rushers into great ones. That’s the difference between a guy collecting paychecks and a guy building a legacy.
At 30, Garrett’s hitting that sweet spot where experience meets peak athleticism. He knows it too. “I want to be remembered not just for sacks, but for the seasons I helped turn,” he said. Translation: individual awards are nice, but he wants playoff wins.
The thing is, when Garrett says he’s aiming for his best season yet, you believe him. This isn’t some guy who just got paid and plans to mail it in. The Browns just handed him generational wealth, and his response was basically “watch this.”
Training camp can’t come soon enough. Between the new contract, the Rodgers rivalry, and Garrett’s own drive to prove he’s worth every penny, the 2025 season just got a whole lot more interesting in Cleveland.