Kevin Stefanski Climbs On Soapbox for Myles Garrett
Dec 17, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) chases Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert (24) during the second half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
When Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanksi addressed the media Monday afternoon he took a moment to stand on an imaginary soapbox — while sitting at a table in front of a computer screen — and make a case for defensive end Myles Garrett being named the Defensive Player of the Year.
“The way Myles is playing is unbelievable, and if I can, I’ll get on the soapbox here for a second,” Stefanski said. “He’s the best player on the best defense in the league right now.”
Stefanski isn’t wrong, but the statistics and the tape tell two different stories.
Where the statistics are concerned, Garrett is seventh in the league in sacks (13), tied for ninth in TFLs (14) with Dallas Cowboys edge player Micah Parsons and is tied for third in the league with forced fumbles (4).
The Browns have one of the best defenses in the NFL and Garrett is an important piece. Behind defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, the Browns lead the league in yards allowed per game (261.1) and also allow the least amount of passing yards per game (158.9) and the 11th least amount of rushing yards per game (102.2). They also only allow 20.5 points per game.
So, while Garrett might not have the statistics in terms of total tackles — he’s on pace to set a career-high in sacks — Stefanski implores whoever will listen to turn on the tape.
During his press conference on Monday, the fourth-year head coach pointed to the fourth play of Sunday’s 20-17 win over the Chicago Bears. Running back D’Earnest Johnson gained three yards on the play, but Garrett worked through two different defenders to make the play from behind.
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“Just watch how they try to block him, he won’t be denied and he gets the guy on the ground,” Stefanski said. “I think what happens with our game is we get so wrapped up in sacks, but he made a play on a crack toss late in the game that lost six yards. If it’s a sack, people think it adds to statistics or whatever but he’s dominant as a defensive player.”
“He’s the Defensive Player of the Year, I don’t think it’s close and he’s going to finish strong for this football team.”
In Stefanski’s eyes, the award shouldn’t come down to who gets the most sacks, the most interceptions, or the most tackles, but who makes the biggest impact on the best defensive team.
“To get so wrapped as we do as a football society when it comes to sacks, just talk about the guy that affects the game, the pressures the quarterback, that plays the run, that plays with unbelievable effort, I don’t know if there’s anybody that’s in the same realm as him.”
Garrett has never won the award, but this could be his best opportunity yet. He finished fifth last season after racking up 16 sacks and 60 total tackles, along with 26 quarterback hits. He’s already tied his quarterback hits total from a year ago and is three sacks away from topping last year’s total, which is a career-high. But, the overall success of the team’s defense has set him apart.
When discussing the Most Valuable Player award, people often revert to the old argument of “the best player on the best team,” so why shouldn’t the same argument be made for Garrett? In Stefanski’s words, “he’s the best player on the best defensive team.”
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