Chris Kiffin has watched Myles Garrett elevate his game each of the last two seasons — and believes Garrett will be even better in 2022.
When Kiffin, the Browns' defensive line coach first arrived in 2020, Garrett recorded a team-leading 12 sacks and four forced fumbles. Last year, he dominated at an even higher level with a franchise-record 16 sacks that ranked third-best in the NFL — his best season yet.
Garrett has seemingly grown stronger, smarter and better every year since Kiffin's had the chance to coach him. Kiffin doesn't see that trend changing in 2022.
"I absolutely see (Defensive Player of the Year) in his future," Kiffin said Saturday. "I think he does, too. I know it's only Day 6, Day 7 of camp, but he's been locked in more so than I've ever seen."
Check out photos of players and coaches working throughout camp
Cornerback A.J. Green (38) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Cornerback A.J. Green (38) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Bill Willis Diversity Fellow Israel Woolfork during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Cornerback A.J. Green (38) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Safety Ronnie Harrison (33) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Assistant Special Teams Coach Stephen Bravo-Brown during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Wide receiver Mike Harley Jr. (82) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Wide receiver Mike Harley Jr. (82) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Defensive end Chase Winovich (69) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Safety John Johnson III (43) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Defensive end Stephen Weatherly (91) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Zach Ayers and Sam Deluca during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (96) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey (97) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. (9) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Tight end Marcus Santos-Silva (87) and Tight end Miller Forristall (86) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Safety Ronnie Harrison (33) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Defensive end Curtis Weaver (59) and Defensive end Chase Winovich (69) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Quarterback Josh Rosen (19) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Safety John Johnson III (43) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Safety Nate Meadors (35) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Linebacker Dakota Allen (56) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Defensive back Herb Miller (29) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Tight end Miller Forristall (86) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Nathan Zegura and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski on the Browns Live set during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Offensive tackle Chris Hubbard (74) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Cornerback Reggie Robinson II (31) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) during the third day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 29, 2022.
Garrett, 26, believes he can be better, too. He normally feels that way this time of year, and he usually fulfills whatever goals he sets for himself in training camp during the season.
This year, Garrett is focusing more on not only producing more sacks and game-changing plays but bringing along his teammates, specifically the young players in the interior D-Line.
The Browns will be looking for two new starters in those positions this year and have several young players who could step in. Taven Bryan, a 2018 first-round pick who spent his first four seasons with the Jaguars, and Jordan Elliott, a 2020 third-round pick, have taken first-team reps so far through camp. The group also includes rookie fourth-rounder Perrion Winfrey, 2021 fourth-rounder Tommy Togiai, and seven-year vet Sheldon Day.
Garrett wants to lift the room by lifting his own game as well.
"I know that there is always more in the tank for myself, but also for them," he said Wednesday. "I feel like we have a long way to go, but it is the start of the process today and all throughout this preseason and this training camp. I believe that we have a lot of potential that we can help mold and create something very big here.
Kiffin applauded Garrett for stepping up his leadership even more this year as well. He said Garrett has been the first player out on the field for practice and has clearly taken command of a room where he — as well as three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney — are firmly entrenched as the two most experienced veterans.
"He knows that room is his now," Kiffin said. "He had some older guys when he first got in there, and he's really locked in right now. Obviously, the talent continues to get better year to year, so there's no reason he can't."
A DPOY award would certainly be one way for Garrett to show his game can be even more elite.
Based on how his career has trended so far, Kiffin doesn't think he'll have to wait much longer.
"His time will come," Kiffin said, "and hopefully it's this year."
