Myles Garrett won’t swing his helmet at the Steelers this time around

Myles Garrett returns to face the Black and Yellow

One of the oldest rivalries in the NFL will meet on the gridiron Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers face off against the Cleveland. While both teams enter the week with winning records, that won’t be the storyline NFL fans will be banging on the table to see.

For the first time since the infamous moment in the long history between clubs, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett will return to the field against the AFC North opponent. This time around, the former No.1 overall will pick will have a different attitude after each snap.

“I’m just ready to play (the length) the average play last. After that, that’s on them,” Garrett said, according to the Akron Beacon Journal’s Nate Ulrich. “I’ll walk away from any situation that we have, and whenever we’re about to snap the ball again, I’ll be there.”

In a Week 11 showdown last season, Garrett entered a physical altercation with Steelers’ quarterback Mason Rudolph that eventually led to him hitting the quarterback in the head with his own helmet. Garrett would be suspended for the final six games, a fine of $45,623 and roughly $1.2 million in lost salary.

Prior to his suspension, Garrett was on pace to lead in the NFL in sacks for 2019 with 10 entering the Thursday night game.

Garrett’s growth could be tested come Sunday afternoon 

Since the play, Garrett has acknowledged he lost his cool and sought help in the offseason for anger management. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski stated that since his arrival with the organization, the defensive end has grown as both a person and a player.

“I think Myles has addressed it,” Stefanski said. “I feel like it’s something that he’s definitely put in the past, he’s definitely learned from and has grown from. I know the focus for our team and for Myles is on this game, but I trust that he’s grown a lot in the last year.”

The Browns red hot 4-1 start is a credit to Stefanski’s play calling, but also to Garrett’s ability to pressure the backfield. In five games, the 25-year-old has tallied six sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. This offseason, he agreed to a five-year extension worth up to $100 million to remain a part of the Browns’ long-term plans.

“This one’s for him,” Browns running back Kareem Hunt said of Garrett. “This one’s for Cleveland. This one’s for a lot of things. … We have Myles’ back no matter what.”

The Browns will be coming out swinging for a chance to gain momentum in a talented division. Let’s hope that’s all that’s swinging on either side of the ball.