Maybe this is the point in the process where things get worse before they get better but, for Cleveland Browns fans, the Friday before the start of NFL free agency is ugly. After almost total silence on rumors around DE Myles Garrett’s trade request at the NFL combine, all of a sudden came a report that Garrett was denied his request to meet with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.
Making that request public was a smart move by Garrett and his agent as their primary goal is to get the star defender traded. While some Cleveland fans might be upset, Garrett has done nothing but praise the fans and the city.
It is the Browns he has a problem with.
Now comes word that Garrett is pondering sitting out games next season if Cleveland doesn’t grant his request (around the 3:00 mark):
In February, we shared the idea that Garrett could try to pull a page out of former Cleveland Cavaliers PG Kyrie Irving’s book to try to facilitate a trade. Now, it seems something like that could be possible.
Given that Garrett has made it clear that his decision isn’t about money, sitting out games while getting fined might be something that is worth it to him. In the end, the player in this situation does not have much leverage. He is under contract for two more years, is entering the back end of his prime and trading him would cripple both the team’s salary cap options for this year and their chances of competing with an expensive, veteran roster.
Garrett and his agent do have a couple of pieces of leverage and seem ready to use them. Public perception is one, which explains the release of Haslam’s denial to meet. Garrett can also threaten to withhold services, one way or another, which could create more drama and, potentially, hurt the team on the field to start 2025.
The Browns have been steadfast that they are not dealing Garrett and hold most of the leverage. Garrett and his agents are now trying to use all the leverage they can to meet their goal of getting the former Defensive Player of the Year out of Cleveland. As noted in the above video, there are different pressure points that will be telling: The start of NFL free agency and the 2025 NFL draft.
What leverage do you think Garrett has and do you think he’ll get what he wants in the end or will the Browns hold to their word that they are not dealing him?
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