Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett.
Getty
Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett.
The Cleveland Browns expect Myles Garrett to “buy in,” despite some uncertainty around his future.
For a second consecutive offseason, Garrett has been involved in trade rumors. The latest surge comes after the Browns reworked Garrett’s contract, essentially making him easier to trade. The change moved Garrett’s $29.2 million roster bonus from March to a week before the start of the regular season, for each of the next three seasons.
However, the Browns have shown no indication they’re willing to entertain offers for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Owner Jimmy Haslam expects Garrett to be fully bought in under new head coach Todd Monken.
Haslam added that while the team has been in contact with Garrett this offseason, the communication has been intermittent but not a cause for concern.
“We anticipate Myles fully buying in,” Haslam said. “Now let me say, it’s not unusual for Myles not to be in real close contact with us in the offseason. He’s not the kind of guy who’s there all the time or calling every week. That’s just his style, and it’s fine.”
Browns Not Trading ‘Unicorn’ Myles Garrett
There’s a case to be made that trading Garrett could benefit the Browns long-term. A deal would likely net a massive haul of first-round picks, accelerating a much-needed rebuild after eight wins in two seasons.
But it would also mean parting with a future Hall of Famer still performing at the height of his powers — a move Cleveland has shown no interest in making.
“I could argue that Myles is the best player in the NFL, OK? And you could say, ‘Well, no, you got to pick the quarterbacks.’ And I wouldn’t argue against that because quarterback is so important in the NFL. But he had his best year ever,” Haslam said. “If you know Myles, he takes phenomenal care of himself, and I think he’ll remain the best player in the NFL and a top-rate defender for the next five years. And I just don’t think, guys like Myles Garrett do not come along very much. They just don’t. They don’t come along. He is a unicorn. And Myles is an integral part of what we do at the Cleveland Browns.”
Haslam’s stance echoed what general manager Andrew Berry said a day earlier.
“lf we wanted to trade Myles, we wouldn’t have needed to make a contract adjustment. So it doesn’t have anything to do with that,” Berry said. “Myles is a career Brown. He is one of the faces of our organization. I think we’ve been very clear both past and present. I understand all the questions. I’ll be honest, I don’t really want to waste a ton more breath on the topic.”
Myles Garrett Not Interested in Browns Rebuild
Garrett has continued to pile up individual accolades for his play on the field. But what he seeks is team success, which he made clear in his trade demand last offseason and more recently.
“I’m committed to winning, and as long as the team is doing so and they’re committed to that same thing, then I’m all on board,” Garrett said at the end of last season. “But if we’re thinking anything other than winning — tanking or rebuilding, that’s not me.”
Expectations are not high for the Browns heading into next season. The win total for the Browns next season is set at 6.5. Cleveland still needs to sort out its quarterback situation and round out its roster with playmakers.