Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Browns' Myles Garrett gets boost of confidence from ownership amid coaching shakeup

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Feb 7, 2026 11:29 AM ET

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has established himself as arguably the best defensive player of his generation after winning his second AP Defensive Player of the Year award in three seasons.

Garrett is the Browns' best player and holds the record for sacks in a season (23.0) after breaking the record previously held by Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt and New York Giants Hall of Famer Michael Strahan (22.5) last season. Garrett’s skills as a defensive player got a boost from his former defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, who is no longer with the team.

Schwartz not being in Garrett’s ear could affect his play for next season, but Browns owner Jimmy Haslam feels his star defender can “break the sack record again.”

"Listen, I love Myles, OK?" Haslam said Tuesday following new head coach Todd Monken's introductory news conference, via Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. "I haven't talked to him since the day after the season, but I'm highly confident Myles will come in here and break the sack record again and be the Defensive Player (of the Year). He hasn't been named it (yet), but I'll be shocked if he isn't and will be a leader of our team."

Browns need to start surrounding Myles Garrett with other quality players to be successful

Since joining the Browns in 2017, Garrett has been to the playoffs twice, losing in the divisional round (2020) and the wild-card round (2023). Since 2024, the Browns have had a losing record (8-26) and have not made the playoffs.

The Browns had the third-worst offense in the league (262.1 yards) while sporting the third-best defense (283.6). Finding success on offense is a must for the Browns to get back above .500 and match the level of defense they’re putting on the field.

With new head coach Todd Monken taking over for Kevin Stefanski, maybe his influence on the Browns' two young quarterbacks, Shedeur Sanders and Dillion Gabriel, could help them be slightly better next season. Monken’s success working with one of the game's best quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson, is what could help turn the Browns around and help Garrett secure his first deep playoff run.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

More must-reads: