Overview
- Garrett enters Week 17 with 22.0 sacks, sitting one shy of surpassing the 22.5 single-season mark shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.
- He told reporters it would be “special” to set the record by sacking Aaron Rodgers, though he has not recorded a sack against Rodgers in two career meetings.
- Rodgers could be rested if Pittsburgh clinches the AFC North before kickoff, raising the possibility of Mason Rudolph starting, a scenario Garrett downplayed despite their 2019 altercation.
- Mike Tomlin acknowledged Garrett as a focal threat and outlined quick-game and protection plans, with Pittsburgh owning the NFL’s lowest pressure rate allowed this season per Next Gen Stats.
- T.J. Watt remains out with a lung injury, Cleveland is out of playoff contention, and Pittsburgh can clinch the division with a win in Cleveland.