The Cleveland Browns made their stance clear on trading Myles Garrett.
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The Cleveland Browns made their stance clear on trading Myles Garrett.
The Cleveland Browns have made their stance on trading Myles Garrett abundantly clear, despite recent buzz about the superstar pass-rusher potentially being on the move.
The Browns modified Garrett’s contract this week, shifting some of his bonuses around. Many concluded that it was a setup for the Browns to explore the trade market for Garrett.
It’s not a wild theory. Garrett demanded a trade last season and doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild. Additionally, the now nullified Maxx Crosby trade showed the market for a premier pass rusher. The Ravens were set to give up two first-round picks for Crosby.
Garrett is coming off his second Defensive Player of the Year honor and set the NFL single-season sack record. The return would be astronomical and beneficial for the Browns, who have a new head coach in Todd Monken and an unsettled quarterback situation.
Schefter: Browns 100% Not Trading Myles Garrett
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter caught wind of the change to Garrett’s contract before it was announced. He called the Browns and got a definitive answer on their stance regarding a potential Garrett trade.
“Let me say this — right away, I called the Browns. They said they are 100% defintley not trading Myles Garrett,” Schefter said on the Pat McAfee Show. “They were adamant about it. They said don’t even bring it up to dignify it. We are not trading him.”
Schefter noted that the Browns can say what they want, but the move undoubtedly makes it easier to move Garrett. The speculation from fans — and other teams — will continue.
“All I can say is that the Browns were adamant to me that they are not trading Myles Garrett and this move was not done to move Myles Garrett. It was for cap flexibility,” Schefter said. “They couldn’t have been stronger about it. But, that’s not going to discourage other people from wondering and speculating if he could be traded.”
Myles Garrett in Communication With Browns
There have been theories that Garrett is unhappy with the Browns. He has not been a vocal proponent of the Monken hire and saw his defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, leave after being passed over for the job.
Earlier this offseason, there were reports that the Browns had not spoken with Garrett and couldn’t reach him. Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com characterized that as false.
Rumors that the Browns have had little or no contact with Garrett since the end of the season are untrue,” Cabot said.
That said, Garrett has made his stance clear. As long as the Browns commit to winning now, he’ll be on board. If it looks like anything but that, Cleveland may have to revisit the idea of moving the future Hall of Famer.
“A Super Bowl would be great. That’s the way I always wanted my career to go. To be able to knock out each one of these. I would have knocked it out earlier if I could, but it’s all God’s timing,” Garrett told Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland earlier this month. “Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP would be amazing. But right now, I’m just taking it day by day. I’m happy with what I’ve done. I’m not satisfied but taking a second to breathe. When all the dust is settled, I’m just appreciative that I’ve even got to this point. Taking it one day at a time.”
The Browns are coming off a 5-12 campaign and have just eight wins in two seasons. Cleveland has made the playoffs twice with Garrett on the roster.