Hey Tony: I’m perplexed by all this Myles Garrett trade talk by the fans and media. AB said he’s not going to be traded and I don’t think you trade a future HOF’er that’s performing at the highest level. What do you think?
— Bobby, San Marcos, CA
Hey Bobby: First of all, neither Andrew Berry nor Jimmy Haslam have stated, “We’re not trading Myles” in 2026. They said it in 2025, but they have conspicuously failed to say it this year. If anything, reporters have put those words in their mouths. But they never said it. And they’ve had plenty of chances to say it. Plus, there was the major modification to Garrett’s contract, which led NFL team execs and salary cap experts to conclude the only reason to do it was to buy time to facilitate a trade. Further, Garrett appears to be ghosting the Browns since the end of last season. I mean, he hasn’t even met the new coaches! Now, what is the only good reason to trade a player of Garrett’s caliber, a future Hall of Famer? When it results in the acquisition of a franchise quarterback, that’s when. Whether it’s for one first-round pick, two, three, or more, if a trade of Garrett results in a bona fide franchise quarterback, it is the right thing to do.
Hey Tony: Pros and cons of trading Myles?
— Mike, Charlotte NC
Hey Mike: Pros: see above. Cons: The defense will not be nearly as effective. The team won five games last year and each win was triggered by the defense. (It’s one reason Jim Schwartz believed he deserved to be promoted to head coach.) Without Garrett last year, they might have won one game.
Hey Tony: Every practice I see media members posting specific offensive plays that Monken is running on social media. Is that common with every team’s local media or just Cleveland? I don’t ever see other teams’ practice coverage.
— Jean, Canton, OH
Hey Jean: Any team conducting an open quarterback competition will have similar coverage, if its media are doing their job. When Baker Mayfield was the established starter, Cleveland media did not need to post gavel-to-gavel coverage of practice throws on social media. Until they find their quarterback-of-the-future, every pass will and should be scrutinized in practice.
Hey Tony: Name me a UDFA that caught your eye not named Fano to make this team??
— Mark, Silicon Valley, USA
Hey Mark: Can’t name one. Maybe somebody emerges in training camp.
Hey Tony: Do you think if the Browns start 1-7 again will Todd Monken be fired mid-season?
— Alfonso, Webster, NY
Hey Alfonso: No chance of that.
Hey Tony: Your best guess is whether the Browns will pursue Brendan Sorsby in the supplemental draft?
— Sherry, Cleveland, OH
Hey Sherry: It would not surprise me if the Browns do submit a bid in the supplemental draft for Sorsby. But I don’t believe they would bid higher than a third-round pick. In other words, they would be happy to “steal” him for a third, but are not prepared to out-bid everybody with a second, or higher.
Hey Tony: With all the talk about the offense … since the defense lost their “favorite teacher,” which players will have the most trouble with the “new teacher”? The percentages say there will be a few.
— Mitchell, Indian Land, SC
Hey Mitchell: Garrett. Jim Schwartz helped him attain a higher level. If the same doesn’t happen under Mike Rutenberg, Garrett will not be a happy camper.
Hey Tony: If Watson wins the QB race and goes .500 or better without getting injured, do you think Shedeur and his camp demand a trade? Or would they just hope the team moves off Deshaun next season when his contract’s up?
— Johnny, Los Angeles, CA
Hey Johnny: The organization’s plan obviously is this: Win as many games as possible this year with Watson or Sanders, or a combination of both, and then do everything possible to draft one of the QBs in the 2027 draft. Watson will not be back, in my opinion. I have no idea how Sanders and his camp will react.
Hey Tony: Is the way Joel Bitonio is handling this offseason and his future hurting his legacy as a Cleveland Brown?
— Chad, Erie, PA
Hey Chad: Not many left guards even have a legacy. The answer is no.
Hey Tony: Do you believe another running back with experience will be added to the roster?
— Bob, Wooster, OH
Hey Bob: What for? Berry wants to make the roster younger. There is no need for a running back unless injuries hit the position.
Hey Tony: If Deshaun Watson leads the Browns to a successful season, will the NFL embrace and highlight the story or not give it much airtime?
— Jeff, Hilton Head Island, SC
Hey Jeff: I’ll say it again: If Watson leads the Browns to a successful season (over .500), he will be a contender for comeback player-of-the-year. I don’t believe anyone in the league office is rooting against that.