The Cleveland Browns ended the 2025 season on a high note.
It was a rough year overall, and they won't be participating in the postseason, but they head into the offseason on a two-game winning streak, with both of those victories coming against AFC North rivals. A game-winning drive, ending in an Andre Szmyt field goal -- which is poetic in itself, considering how Szmyt's NFL debut against Cincinnati went back in September -- lifted the Browns over the Cincinnati Bengals in the season finale, 20-18.
Advertisement
The win wasn't the biggest story from Sunday's game, though. Star defensive end and former (and likely future) Defensive-Player-of-the-Year Myles Garrett etched his name in the history books with a sack on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Garrett's historic season has drawn the attention of not just those in Cleveland, but the sports world as a whole.
Let's dive into some of the reactions to Garrett's historic day, as well as some reactions to what the win means for the Browns.
Sports world celebrates Garrett
Garrett's sack with roughly five minutes to go in Sunday's game put his season total at 23, a half-sack more than the previous record, shared by Giants defensive end Michael Strahan (2001) and Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (2021). The historic mark earned Garrett praise from his peers and opponents.
Browns fans react to the record falling
Fans of the team were, predictably, ecstatic to see Garrett finally break the record, after a few close calls over the last several games.
The coaching uncertainty
The feeling coming into the weekend was that Sunday's game would be Kevin Stefanski's last as head coach of the Browns. The Browns have experienced success under Stefanski, with two playoff berths that led to him bringing home a pair of Coach of the Year awards during his tenure, but the team is just 8-26 since their Wild Card loss to the Texans two years ago. Despite the season closing with two consecutive wins, Stefanski's time in Cleveland may be up.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns, sports world react to Myles Garrett making history vs. Bengals

4 days ago
2


English (US) ·