The Browns don’t have any plans of trading Myles Garrett, but the most recent development in his situation has again raised the opportunity of such a move happening. The perennial All-Pro edge rusher has formally requested a trade.
“As a child dreaming of the NFL, all I focused on was the final word goal of winning a Super Bowl — and that goal fuels me today greater than ever,” an announcement from Garrett reads (h/t Ian Rapoport of NFL Network). “These past eight years have shaped me into the person that I’m today. While I’ve loved calling [Cleveland] my home, my desire to win and compete on the largest stages won’t allow me to be complacent.
“The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has at all times been to compete for and win a Super Bowl. With that in mind, I even have requested to be traded from the Cleveland Browns.”
This scenario became a talking point at the tip of the campaign, one during which the Browns finished 3-14. Garrett made it clear he can be looking for clarity on the franchise’s long-term plans regarding a possible rebuild, something the previous Defensive Player of the Yr has little interest in. While the Browns don’t intend to embark on an organizational reset, questions on the quarterback position particularly leave them with a murky outlook with respect to Super Bowl contention within the near future.
Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry – who, together with head coach Kevin Stefanski signed an extension last offseason and can remain in place for 2025 – has been adamant no consideration will probably be given to dealing Garrett. He said after the tip of the campaign the Browns expect the previous No. 1 pick to retire with the franchise, adding lower than one week ago that a proposal including two first-round picks wouldn’t be enough to entertain the considered a trade.
To no surprise, then, Rapoport adds the Browns’ stance on this matter has not modified. Still, teams will little doubt make calls gauging the team’s willingness to part ways with Garrett. The Texas A&M product has posted no fewer than 10 sacks in each of the past seven seasons, earning six Pro Bowl nods and being named first-team All-Pro 4 times up to now in his decorated profession. Garrett is comfortably Cleveland’s all-time sack leader, and with 2025 representing his age-29 season he has plenty more to supply the Browns or one other team.
On only two occasions during his Cleveland tenure has Garrett reached the postseason. His time with the franchise included the Browns’ 0-16 campaign during his rookie 12 months together with multiple coaching changes. The arrival of Stefanski led to a run to the divisional round of the playoffs in 2020, but since then the team has only reached the postseason over again (a wild-card loss to the Texans last season). With an unclear outlook under center and a protracted list of AFC contenders to cope with regarding a Super Bowl run, Garrett’s desire to maneuver on will be easily understood.
Two years remain on Garrett’s current contract, a $125MM extension which has proven to be a worthwhile investment on the team’s part. Berry has said he’s open to figuring out one other extension this offseason, one during which the highest of the sting rush market could change dramatically. Trey Hendrickson and T.J. Watt join Garrett as veterans in line for brand spanking new deals, while Micah Parsons‘ pending extension can also be more likely to challenge Nick Bosa‘s $34MM AAV. Before agreeing to a brand new Garrett pact, though, the Browns will now need to cope with this trade request.
Players who ask to be dealt very often wind up remaining on their teams through a brand new contract. Still, this escalation is a notable chapter within the Garrett-Browns relationship because the team prepares for a vital offseason. Cleveland is currently on target to be over the cap in 2025, thanks in no small part to the nearly $73MM hit Deshaun Watson is ready to account for. The previous Texans Pro Bowler has not met expectations during his three Cleveland campaigns, and his second Achilles tear threatens to maintain him off the sphere for many, if not all, of the approaching campaign. A free agent QB acquisition will definitely be difficult given the team’s financial situation.
After all, the Browns own the No. 2 selection on this 12 months’s draft. That might give the team the chance so as to add a brand new franchise passer, although the presence of Penn State’s Abdul Carter could leave a significant edge rush addition as a possibility. Whether or not that receives consideration will depend no less than partly on how this Garrett saga unfolds.
