Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on Myles Garrett: 'He's the Defensive Player of the Year'

BEREA — Lot of times, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski skirts around an answer to a question. Often, he'll pull a punch or soften a response.

When the subject on Monday's Zoom call with the media turned to the performance of All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, though, Stefanski left no gray area.

"He's the Defensive Player of the Year," Stefanski said. "I don't think it's close. He's going to finish strong for this football team. … I don't know that there's anybody in the same realm as him."

Garrett is coming off a 20-17 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday that's been a lot like many of the ones he's had recently. He was held without an official sack for the fourth consecutive game, which is the first time in his career that's happened.

It was another game in which he battled through his share of double teams, chips and various holds not being flagged, although Garrett did have a chance to get Bears quarterback Justin Fields on Chicago's first touchdown. He had his hands on Fields, but the quarterback managed to get free as left tackle Broxton Jones came over to dislodge Garrett.

Garrett was asked after the game about those no-calls, as well as his comments the previous week after a win over Jacksonville Jaguars that drew a $25,000 fine from the league. He simply responded, "Ask Roger," referencing NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who was in attendance for Sunday's game.

Stefanski had previously shown support over the last week to Garrett in the crusade to get calls. He reiterated that support Monday.

"I mean, he's frustrated, I'm frustrated when he's getting held," Stefanski said. "That's something that we'll continue to talk to the officials about. I understand that that's a tough gig, but I do think it's something that we need to make sure that is addressed."

Garrett remains at 13 sacks, which was seventh in the league entering the Monday night game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks. That was the top total in the league after Week 11, the last game in which he recorded a sack.

While Garrett didn't get a sack against the Bears, he was credited with a team-high 11 quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. He also had three tackles and a tackle for loss.

"It's not even just Myles' performance," said linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who had one of the Browns' three sacks Sunday. "If you ever play, like, 2K — I actually haven't played a video game in a long time, but I remember when I did play, they had this feature for a player. It was called, like, anchor.

"I think that Myles is more of the anchor for our defense. He has the performance, he has the mentality, he has the speeches. He's more of anchor. So, when he's out there, the chemistry (is there) ... He may make a play. Let me make sure that I make my play when it's called."

Garrett, though, has made plays even in the games in which he hasn't gotten an official sack. He sacked Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on a 2-point conversion try the previous Sunday, but 2-point conversion plays don't count for official stats.

"Go put the tape on, watch play No. 4 and watch how, it's a gain of 3, but watch how they try to block him," Stefanski said. "He won't be denied, gets the guy on the ground. I think what happens with our game, we get so wrapped up in sacks. He makes a play on a crack toss late in the game that loses 6 yards. If it's a sack, people think it adds to the statistics or whatever."

Stefanski pointed to one from Sunday that showcased Garrett's play-making ability without involving the quarterback. Instead, it was a tackle on 3-yard run by running back Khalil Herbert on the first play of the Bears' second offensive series.

"He's dominant as a defensive player," Stefanski said. "… To get so wrapped up as we do as a football society when it comes to sacks, I mean, just talk about the guy that affects the game, that pressures the quarterback, that plays the run, that plays with unbelievable effort."

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kevin Stefanski calls Myles Garrett 'Defensive Player of the Year'