Overview
- Garrett’s 23rd sack of the season came on Joe Burrow with about five minutes left, and Andre Szmyt hit a 49-yard walk-off field goal to give Cleveland a 20-18 victory.
- Officials briefly halted play for teammates and family to celebrate on the field, a decision Bengals coach Zac Taylor and Ja’Marr Chase criticized for disrupting their hurry-up plans and lacking advance notice.
- ESPN’s Get Up panel, led by Rex Ryan, defended recognizing the moment and rebuked Cincinnati’s complaints, as high-profile figures including Patrick Mahomes and LeBron James congratulated Garrett.
- Analysis cited by Yahoo Sports noted Garrett reached 23 sacks on fewer opponent pass plays than Michael Strahan or T.J. Watt, undercutting calls for an asterisk in the 17-game era.
- Jordan Brand was reported to have added Garrett shortly after the record-setting sack, as the star described low-key celebrations and reflected on finally securing the mark.