Myles Garrett, the star defensive end for the Cleveland Browns, has officially requested to be traded as the team heads for what may be one of their most significant overhauls yet this offseason. Garrett made his intentions public on Monday, stating his desire to win the Super Bowl as the motivation behind his request.
"While I’ve loved calling this city my home, my desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won't allow me to be complacent. The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl," Garrett stated, conveying the difficulty of his decision but emphasizing the urgency of his career aspirations. His announcement is not just about the trade itself, but the underlying frustrations with the Browns' recent lack of success.
Garrett, drafted first overall by the Browns in 2017, has spent his entire seven-year career with the team, where he has tallied impressive statistics, including 102.5 sacks and six Pro Bowl appearances. Despite his individual accolades, including being named the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year for 2023, the Browns' overall record fell to 3-14 last season, marking yet another disappointing year. This was especially disheartening for Garrett, who remarked, "It's probably a more disappointing season because of what we expected out of ourselves," after the Browns' season ended.
General manager Andrew Berry's public position on Garrett's potential trade complicates matters. Only last week, Berry firmly stated he would not entertain offers for Garrett, even if presented with multiple high-round draft picks. "You can put this on the record," Berry reiterated, thereby setting the stage for potential conflict between management and one of their best players.
Garrett's trade request surfaces at a time when teams are analyzing their rosters for the upcoming season. Several organizations, including the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders, have expressed possible interest. The Lions, coming off a competitive year, could significantly benefit from Garrett's skill set, especially as they seek to fortify their defense. The Commanders, with their high cap space and need for pass-rushing talent, also appear to be favorable contenders if they decide to pursue Garrett.
Financially, Garrett's contract includes two years remaining on his five-year, $125 million extension signed back in 2020, which includes significant salary cap hits of $19.7 million for 2025 and $20.4 million for 2026. He is due to receive a $5 million roster bonus on March 16. For any team acquiring him, the financials work out favorably, as his cap hit for the first season would only be about $5 million due to prior payments already made, making him particularly attractive to contenders with existing cap space.
While the Browns face challenges with Garrett's hefty contract should they choose to honor his request, they are also left with dead money obligations exceeding $36 million if they trade or release him. If the situation fails to resolve and Garrett is not moved prior to his roster bonus deadline, it complicates the Browns' salary cap flexibility as they head toward the new season.
Overall, Garrett's request marks a pivotal moment not just for him but for the Cleveland Browns' franchise. It highlights Garrett's urgent ambition to win amid the stagnation the franchise has seen over the past few years. Moving forward, the dynamics between Garrett and the organization will be closely watched as the offseason progresses. For the Browns, losing their star pass rusher would be significant, yet retaining him amid growing frustrations might prove equally contentious as they navigate the rebuilding phase and seek to keep their star player from leaving.