Browns' Myles Garrett shares lofty goal ahead of playoffs

Cleveland Browns All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett could receive at least one player award next month but has something else on his mind ahead of Saturday's wild-card game at the Houston Texans. 

"I want to be viewed as the best," Garrett told Jake Trotter of ESPN for a piece published Friday. "I want to be respected as the best. But that's not as much on my mind anymore. The opinions of my peers or analysts or experts, those things don't really weigh on me anymore. It's all about wins and losses. You want to be the last winner at the end of the year. That's who's remembered. ... and I want to make Cleveland a winner."

As shown by ESPN, Garrett finished the regular season tied for seventh in the NFL with 14 sacks. That stat tells only a portion of the story regarding performances produced by the 28-year-old who routinely was a victim of holding infractions seemingly ignored by referees throughout the campaign. 

Across 16 games, Garrett accumulated 17 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. On Friday, Pro Football Talk named the best player who features for the NFL's leader in total defense (270.2 yards surrendered per game) its 2023 Defensive Player of the Year. 

Garrett thus far has only played in a pair of postseason games since the Browns made him the first overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. He seems to understand what bringing a first Super Bowl championship would mean to those who cheer for the franchise that's been his only home as a pro. 

"I'm not judging or trying to demean anyone else on their journeys," Garrett added during his chat with Trotter. "But for me, being with the team that drafted you your entire career and winning a championship with them is the most special thing you can do in your career. That's why I'm always going to be committed to this city. As long as they have me, I'm going to be here trying to do my best to elevate this team, elevate this community, this city. ... and bring it all home."

As of Friday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the 11-6 Browns as two-point road favorites against the 10-7 Texans. If Garrett remains healthy and at his best, he could lead Cleveland to more than just a single playoff victory this winter.