Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns missed the start of Todd Monken's first offseason program.
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Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns missed the start of Todd Monken's first offseason program.
The Cleveland Browns opened their offseason program this week, ahead of most other teams’ schedule as allowed by the collective bargaining agreement because they have a new coach, Todd Monken. While this period is mostly an opportunity to get acclimated with the playbook, with new teammates and with the new staff, it’s hardly make-or-break for the construction of the team. Therefore, the angst meter was not going haywire when it was revealed that star pass-rusher Myles Garrett was not on hand.
The offseason program is voluntary. Garrett does not have to go, and typically does not attend until we get closer to training camp. A guy coming off a year in which he set a new single-season sack record has earned that right.
Still, there is enough out there–from the ugly departure of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to recent news about contract machinations that could set up a trade of Garrett–that it might have been of some comfort to Monken to have Garrett in the building. And he wasn’t.
Myles Garrett Absence ‘Not Great’ for Browns’ Todd Monken
Speaking on “The Rich Eisen Show,” on Wednesday, veteran NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated was asked whether the Browns should be concerned about Garrett’s absence–which is no reason for panic, but also is not the preferred result.
Said Breer: “The optics of it aren’t great for Monken, but again, I try to remind people, this time of year, what they’re actually doing, which is lifting weights and meeting. If the quarterback is not there, that can be an issue because, beyond just the symbolism of it, you want your quarterback in-house because how he plays is going to affect so many other people in the building. …
“If he is not there until the mandatory minicamp in June, I think we’re talking about something else.”
Myles Garrett Trade Makes Some Sense
There is some debate as to whether the Browns would be better off, in the long run, actually going ahead and making a trade of Garrett in the coming weeks, perhaps ahead of the 2026 NFL draft. GM Andrew Berry dismissed those rumors at the NFL owners’ meetings last week and said he didn’t want to spend “a lot of breath” on the topic.
But there is some logic, as Breer pointed out, because the Browns need time to rebuild the offense, and when they’ve likely assembled a decent unit on that side of the ball in two years, Garrett will be 32, turning 33. Garrett is a Hall of Fame talent, but he’s probably at peak trade value right now.
“I, by the way am on the record with having said that the Browns should explore trading Myles Garrett,” Breer said. “But I wouldn’t sound the alarm quite yet. Myles has always sort of marched to the beat of his own drummer and I have a hard time crushing a guy. But I don’t think it’s ideal.
“Look, here’s the beauty of it—they don’t have to shop him. If someone’s interested, they’re going to call. Like, why not call based on all the things? They should trade him because I don’t think the timelines match up anymore.”
Browns Todd Monken Addressed Absence
Monken himself met with Browns media on Wednesday and was, naturally, asked about Garrett.
He said: “As I said before, this thing is voluntary, for our players to be here. I think if you asked every coach in the NFL if they would like every player to be there for that, of course. I think there are certain parts to what we do from a connection standpoint that I think it is important to be here. From a schematic standpoint. From a work standpoint? Not so much.
“And it is our job to make it to where the guys want to be here, not just by their job but their development, the camaraderie, being part of a team. Hell, I’ve been part of a team since I was 5 years old, there is nothing like it. I wouldn’t miss it, because that’s me. That’s how I am wired. But it is voluntary. Myles will be ready. I am not worried about Myles.”