Myles Garrett still has target on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns rivalry continues to heat up, building on the bad history over recent years and historical frustration between the two teams. Defensive end Myles Garrett has been at the center of everything the Browns have built, from their unprecedented success to their biggest controversies.

Ahead of Sunday’s rivalry game, Myles Garrett issued a statement of intent. He plans to come after veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who might make his final trip to Cleveland this weekend.

“Hell, I have to send him off, right? If it is,” Garrett said Friday, via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. “He’s left a huge legacy in Pittsburgh and here, so I’ve got to make sure he doesn’t leave with a win. But got to respect what he’s done and the greatness that he’s had on the football field.”

Roethlisberger’s Hall of Fame worthy career has featured plenty of shining moments inside Cleveland’s home stadium, but recent memory is more bitter. Since Myles Garrett entered the league in 2017, he has sacked Ben Roethlisberger four times.

Garrett enters the week with 9.5 sacks over the first seven games, but his sights are set higher than double digits. He is currently looking to chase an elite class of players, including NFL-record holder Michael Strahan.

“Twenty-plus, that’s the goal,” said Garrett. “I mean, the record has been my goal. But if you’re going out there, making an impact, being disruptive and you have 20-plus sacks and add some forced fumbles to it, then I’m going to help my team win and that’s what’s it’s all about.”

Garrett’s current career high is 13.5 sacks, which he set in 2018. However, with 9.5 before the midway point of the new 17-game schedule, his new goal appears within reach.

Previous comments from Myles Garrett

Myles Garrett’s desire to sack Ben Roethlisberger is nothing new, on draft night in April of 2017, he made his intentions clear. Although he was unable to face the veteran signal caller as a rookie, Garrett told reporters he was ready to “chop him down.”

In another game without Roethlisberger at the helm, Garrett caused a league-wide controversy by swinging a helmet at backup Mason Rudolph. The league investigated the incident after claims of racial abuse, but did not suspend Rudolph, who denies the incident.

Both players were fined for their role in the ensuing brawl and Garrett missed the remainder of the 2019 season through suspension.