Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett.
Getty
Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett.
The Cleveland Browns begin their voluntary offseason program on April 7, and their best player probably won’t be there.
Owner Jimmy Haslam confirmed at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix that the team does not expect two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to report when veteran players arrive in Berea.
“We spent a lot of time with Myles the day after the season,” Haslam said. “We had a great conversation about the offseason, the direction of the team, what we were looking for, et cetera. And AB talks to Myles regularly. So I doubt Myles is there on April 7, OK?
“But Myles hasn’t shown the need to be there and we have a new defensive coordinator, but we’re basically going to run the same defense. So I think Myles will be ready to go.”
Garrett is a team captain and the cornerstone of the Browns’ defense, making his absence at the start of the voluntary program noteworthy under any circumstances. Even if it’s become somewhat routine, it carries added weight amid a coaching transition and lingering trade speculation.
A Concerning Communication Gap
The apparent disconnect between Garrett and Cleveland’s new leadership has been a storyline this offseason. NFL insider Benjamin Allbright noted that the Browns had been unable to reach Garrett since the team hired Todd Monken and parted ways with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Garrett acknowledged he had not yet spoken with Monken face-to-face. New defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg said much the same at his introductory press conference. Garrett was close with Schwartz, who resigned after being passed over for the head coaching job.
Haslam acknowledged the limited contact but downplayed it.
“We anticipate Myles fully buying in,” he said. “Now let me say, it’s not unusual for Myles not to be in real close contact with us in the offseason. So he’s not the kind of guy that’s there all the time and calls you every week. That’s just different styles. It’s fine.”
Myles Garrett Trade Rumors Persist
Layered on top of the communication questions is the trade speculation that has followed Garrett this offseason. The Browns recently reworked his contract to push back option bonuses and make him easier to move, setting off a fresh round of rumors. Browns general manager Andrew Berry moved quickly to shut that down.
“Myles is a career Brown,” Berry said. “He’s one of the faces of our organization. I think we’ve been very clear both past and present in terms of our goals. I understand all the questions. I’ll be honest, I don’t really want to waste a ton more breath on the topic.”
Haslam echoed that sentiment.
“Guys like Myles Garrett do not come along very much,” he said. “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.”
Garrett also holds a no-trade clause, meaning any deal would require his blessing. There’s no indication he’s pushing for one.