One of the more shocking results of the Week 17 slate was the Pittsburgh Steelers losing on the road to the Cleveland Browns, 13-6. Now, Browns star pass rusher Myles Garrett is making his feelings known about what he believes the Steelers’ game plan was.
Myles Garrett Falls Short of Sack Record, Makes Strong Accusation Against Steelers
Entering Week 17, the Steelers were 9-6 and had a chance to clinch the AFC North with a win over their rival Browns. Cleveland, meanwhile, was just 3-12, started fifth-round rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and was without rookie running back Quinshon Judkins after he suffered a season-ending ankle/leg injury in Week 16.
For more context, the Steelers were riding a three-game winning streak, scoring 27 points against the Baltimore Ravens, 28 against the Miami Dolphins, and 29 against the Detroit Lions.
The Steelers’ offense has had question marks this season, ranking 18th in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric with a 75.5 grade. Meanwhile, the Browns posted an 86.9 PFSN Defense Impact score, which is fifth-best in the NFL.
There were two additional storylines at play. The Steelers were without wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, who was suspended for two games following an altercation with a fan in Week 16 against the Lions. Garrett was also 1.5 sacks shy of breaking the single-season sack record, currently held by Michael Strahan and incumbent Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt.
According to Brooke Pryor, an ESPN NFL reporter who covers the Steelers, Garrett’s proximity to the record did not change Pittsburgh’s game plan.
“We didn’t do anything against Myles that we don’t normally do against Myles. The sack records are irrelevant. … And so we didn’t take a different approach because of the gravity of the record. It’s just standard business when you’re playing these guys and him,” Tomlin said, per Pryor.
In response to this post, Daniel Oyefusi, an ESPN reporter who covers the Browns, shared a quote from Garrett:
“I feel like to an extent, they were more worried about keeping me away from Aaron than getting the win, and I think that’s what came to bite them.”
Myles Garrett: “I feel like to an extent, they were more worried about keeping me away from Aaron than getting the win, and I think that’s what came to bite them.” https://t.co/oCTQKxncuC
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) December 28, 2025
Garrett finished the game with a half-sack, bringing his season total to 22.0. He will now look to add another in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals, who rank ninth in the NFL in offensive line play, per PFSN.
