The Browns acknowledged that Myles Garrett was the face of their franchise and challenged him to lead with his last contract. At the start of the offseason with a new head coach, Cleveland is without its face and leaderless. As is the norm for him, Garrett opted not to show up for Phase One of the offseason program.
The Browns know it’s entirely within his right to do so, but Garrett’s absence will be a topic of conversation. He certainly doesn’t need it, as he proved last year. It’s not like he showed up in 2025, but it didn’t stop him from breaking NFL records. One lesson that has eluded him, however, is that some things are not about you. Speed limits are, not that that stops him from driving as fast as he wants. But when you’re a leader, your leadership is about others.
On Wednesday, new Browns HC Todd Monken addressed Myles Garrett’s absence, saying what one what expect. He knows he can’t admonish a player, let alone a star, for not participating in voluntary activities. But he said enough, perhaps, to read between the lines.
“I think if you asked every coach in the NFL, would they like every player to be there for that? Of course”, Monken said of Garrett’s absence from the start of the Browns’ offseason program. “I think there’s certain parts of what we do from a connection standpoint, you know, that I think is important to be here. From a schematics standpoint, from a work standpoint, not so much”.
“It is our job to make it to where the guys want to be here. Not just by the job, but by their development, by the comradery, by being part of a team”, he added. “And hell, I’ve been part of a team since I was five years old. There’s nothing like it. I wouldn’t miss it because that’s me, that’s how I’m wired. But it is voluntary. Myles [Garrett] will be ready, I’m not worried about Myles”.
Sure, on Sundays, when he lined up for the Browns’ defense, Garrett will put up his numbers. But will Cleveland actually win games? Will he help those around him become better players who can contribute to his legacy beyond padding stats?
A year ago, Myles Garrett made a big to-do about wanting to win a Super Bowl when he requested a trade from the Browns, citing his believe that he could never win one there. He quickly changed his tune, of course, when he signed what was at the time a record-setting contract. He doesn’t like losing while they’re actually losing, but individual accolades seem to do much to soothe his sorrows.
Would Garrett be more invested in a team other than the Browns? Perhaps that’s a fair question to ask. Meanwhile, there is speculation about his future in Cleveland yet again, this time following a contract adjustment. Essentially, the Browns made it easier to trade Garrett, if they so chose. The Cowboys traded Micah Parsons last year, so we can’t pretend this is out of left field.
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