The chase for the single-season sack record is heating up, and one legendary pass rusher has made his pick very clear.
Al “Bubba” Baker — whose 23 sacks in 1978 are widely considered the unofficial NFL record — believes that Myles Garrett has everything it takes to rewrite history.
🏆 Official vs. Unofficial Sack Record: Why the Numbers Don’t Match
The NFL officially began tracking sacks in 1982. Because of this:
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Official record: 22.5 sacks (shared by Michael Strahan & T.J. Watt)
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Unofficial record: 23 sacks (Al “Bubba” Baker, 1978 — verified through film study by Pro Football Reference)
Baker’s historic season with the Detroit Lions’ “Silver Rush” defense remains unmatched on paper, but he welcomes the idea of Garrett surpassing it.
💬 Baker on Myles Garrett: “He’s Built to Break 23”
In a recent interview, Baker said he is openly rooting for Garrett to break both the official and unofficial records.
According to him:
- Garrett is “driven and obsessed with greatness”
- He fully understands what the number 23 represents
- He wants to “end the conversation” by setting a mark no one can question
Baker even called Garrett the best defensive player in the NFL for the last five years, praising his strength, conditioning, and rare explosiveness.
🔥 Garrett’s Dominant 2025 Season
Myles Garrett has taken over the league this year:
- 19.0 sacks so far (a new Browns single-season record)
- Outproducing several entire NFL teams
- Three games with 3+ sacks, something only Lawrence Taylor has done more in a season
- Fastest get-off in the NFL this year at 0.72 seconds
- Beating constant double teams and chips at one of the highest rates in the league
At his current pace, Garrett is projected to finish with 26 sacks, which would shatter both the official 22.5 and Baker’s unofficial 23.
🧠 Why the Final Stretch Matters Most
Baker warned that the “last few sacks” will be Garrett’s toughest challenge:
Because every offensive coordinator will think:
“If anyone breaks this record, it better not be No. 95.”
This means more double teams, more chips, and more game plans designed specifically to slow Garrett down.
🐐 Is Garrett the GOAT Pass Rusher?
Baker respects Garrett’s talent but says it’s too early to crown him as the best ever.
For now, that honor still belongs to:
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Bruce Smith, the all-time sack leader with 200 career sacks
But Baker believes the record chase could push Garrett to chase Smith’s career mark after the single-season one.
🚀 Can Myles Garrett Break the Single-Season Sack Record?
Based on his speed, technique, consistency, and dominant film this season — the answer is yes.
Garrett has the:
- Physical tools
- Elite football IQ
- Motor
- Ability to dominate double teams
…and the motivation to cement himself as one of the most unstoppable pass rushers of all time.