Cleveland Browns edge defender Myles Garrett requested a trade in early February, publicly asking the team that drafted him to move him to a contender. With the All-Pro pass rusher and the Browns front office now locked in conflict, there’s been even more speculation regarding his future.
Garrett, who turned 29 in December, received significant fan support when he requested out of Cleveland. With the club saddled by the Deshaun Watson contract and coming off a 3-14 season, supporters of the team seemed to understand why Garrett wanted to play elsewhere.
Myles Garrett stats (ESPN): 28 QB hits, 22 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, 11.5 stuffs, 3 forced fumbles
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Since being drafted by Cleveland with the first pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Garrett has been one of the best NFL players of his era. In 2024, he became the fourth-fastest player in NFL history to record 100 career sacks and he earned an All-Pro selection for the fifth consecutive year. He wants off a team he believes isn’t in position to contend next season, while the Browns front office is adamant it won’t move him.
On Friday’s episode of the Inside Coverage podcast, senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports addressed Garrett’s situation with the Browns and how it could play out before the 2025 NFL Draft.
“This Myles Garrett situation is not going to resolve itself. I think it’s gonna get worse before it gets better and I think the Browns are probably gonna get some solid offers for Myles Garrett. In my mind…there’s at least a mid-percentage chance that Myles Garrett gets traded going into that draft.”
Yahoo Sports’ senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson on Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns
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Myles Garrett contract (Spotrac): $19.722 million cap hit in 2025, $20.374 million cap hit in 2026
Robinson went on to explain how the Browns’ ultimate decision with Garrett could coincide with what happens in the 2025 NFL Draft. While there have been persistent NFL rumors suggesting Cleveland will draft a quarterback with the second overall pick, that might be contingent on Cam Ward being available.
If Ward is picked first overall, either by the Tennessee Titans or the New York Giants, then Cleveland would be in a position to potentially draft Garrett’s replacement. While edge rusher Abdul Carter does have a foot injury, it’s not a major concern and he has drawn some NFL comparisons to Micah Parsons.
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The Browns could conceivably replace Garrett with the second overall pick and then start filling out the rest of the roster with picks acquired by trading him. While it would certainly ensure Cleveland is one of the worst NFL teams in 2025, it might be in the club’s best long-term interests.