Myles Garrett didn’t show up for voluntary activities under former Browns HC Kevin Stefanski. Looks like he won’t for Todd Monken, either. With a new head, like the Steelers, Cleveland’s in-person offseason program begins today. Garrett won’t be there, as per usual, despite the significant changes this offseason.
The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year who set a new single-season sack record, Myles Garrett doesn’t exactly need the offseason program. He is, however, a leader of the Browns and the face of the franchise. He accepted that responsibility when he re-signed with the team last year following a request for trade. I will also remind you that he deftly avoided questions about Stefanski’s future at the end of last season.
But now with Todd Monken at head coach, and new systems being installed, Myles Garrett doesn’t feel the need to show his face. Based on prior history, he may not make an appearance until mandatory minicamp. Now, while the Browns failed to retain DC Jim Schwartz, they intend to retain his scheme. That’s a fair point, but it’s still notable when your most recognizable player doesn’t show up for his new coach. Even Lamar Jackson slow-motion strolled into Baltimore’s headquarters for Jesse Minter.
“Myles Garrett not showing up does not feel to me to be significant”, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said as the Browns begin their offseason program. “Mainly because this is what he does. If you are the best defensive player in the NFL, and you have a way you like to unwind after the season or get ready for the next season. I would say it makes sense for a player like Myles Garrett to do that”.
But this is also the first time that Garrett has had a new head coach since 2020. For the Browns, that’s incredible stability. Rapoport is ultimately right in the sense that this is what he has always done, more or less. He is not a big believer in doing what he doesn’t have to do, unless it’s recklessly speeding. He’s up to nine speeding tickets now since joining the Browns, most recently in February.
Of course, a year ago, Myles Garrett was talking about how winning a championship is the most important thing to him and he didn’t feel he could do that in Cleveland. Yet he signed a big, fat contract and added a no-trade clause to it, too. But there will always be speculation about trade, and this offseason will be no different.
Recently, the Browns adjusted Garrett’s contract in a way that would make it easier to trade him. Cleveland came out hard denying that they have any intention, let alone interest, in trading him. But that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t do it for the right offer, like the Cowboys did for Micah Parsons.
Recommended for you