Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski started the offseason with a thud when star pass rusher Myles Garrett demanded a trade by releasing a statement on X.
"As a kid dreaming of the NFL, all I focused on was the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl — and that goal fuels me today more than ever. My love for the community of Northeast Ohio and the incredible fanbase of the Cleveland Browns has made this one of the toughest decisions of my life. These past eight years have shaped me into the man that I am today," Garrett wrote.
"While I've loved calling this city my home, my desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won't allow me to be complacent. The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton; it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl," he said.
The two sides eventually agreed to a contract extension that briefly made Garrett the highest-paid non-QB in the league.
Now, he's addressed his teammates to clarify the request.
“I’ve talked to (my teammates), and they understand it’s a business,” Garrett said, via Zac Jackson of The Athletic. “We love what we do, and I love this team, and they understand that I was trying to do what’s best for me. And after talking with them, like I said months ago, talking with AB (general manager Andrew Berry) and (coach) Kevin (Stefanski) about what’s best for me and what’s best for this team, eventually that aligned and we’re looking forward to the future of this team.”
With all business matters set aside, it's time for Garrett and the Browns to focus on the task at hand - getting ready for the 2025 campaign.