There were happier times in Myles Garrett's Browns career than right now.
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the Myles Garrett situation …
Why does Myles Garrett want to be traded?
Garrett was clear in the statement he released via social media that his goal is to compete for and win a Super Bowl. He doesn’t believe the plan articulated by GM Andrew Berry in season-ending meetings will lead to that with the Browns. Without saying it, Garrett obviously has lost confidence in team management.
Were the Browns taken by surprise?
They say they were aware of Garrett’s feelings. However, it’s not clear that they expected him to make them known in a statement emailed to national NFL “insiders” and posted on social media.
Did something happen recently to trigger Garrett’s motivation to make his feelings public?
It appears that Garrett was offended by Berry’s comments that Garrett would go “from Cleveland to Canton” and would be content to retire as a Brown. Garrett seems to have interpreted those comments as framing him as merely interested in the personal goal of reaching the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Berry may not have intended to portray Garrett that way, but the stinging line in Garrett’s statement --“The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl” – tells you that it triggered Garrett.
Could Garrett just be posturing for a big, new contract?
Probably not. He and the Browns did have preliminary talks about a new contract. It would have made Garrett the highest-paid defensive player in the league and would have helped the Browns lower his salary cap figure for 2025. Garrett apparently rejected the process because he viewed the team at a dead end in regards of advancing to the Super Bowl.
How should the Browns respond to Garrett’s trade request?
Publicly, they stand on Berry’s previous statements that he has no intention of trading Garrett. That’s probably the right public approach. Privately, though, they should begin the process of trading Garrett for future assets to rebuild the team. Garrett’s public statement has alerted the entire league that the Browns should be open for business.
Does Garrett have the leverage to force a trade if he’s under contract for two more years?
Yes, he does. He’s the team’s best player and face of the organization. If he’s disgruntled and held to the team against his will, it casts a negative pall over the entire organization. He could hold out during offseason minicamps, training camp, preseason and weeks into the regular season. That does the organization no good. Also, the Browns are anywhere from $27 million to $35 million over the 2025 salary cap. They have to comply with the cap beginning on March 12. Lowering Garrett’s salary cap number via a new contract was part of Berry’s strategy to comply with the cap. He can still do that by doing a fourth consecutive salary-to-bonus conversion with Deshaun Watson’s contract. But a new deal for Garrett would help to create additional spending room. Without Garrett’s cooperation, that can’t happen.
Why should the Browns trade Garrett?
While being the team’s best player, Garrett is also its most marketable one in trade. He can bring draft assets that can facilitate the inevitable rebuilding project ahead. Also, as good as Garrett is, the Browns have sunk to their lowest point in the Berry era while Garrett has had arguably his best two years of his career. At 29 and earning perhaps off a second consecutive NFL defensive player-of-the-year award – we’ll find out Thursday at NFL Honors program – Garrett’s trade value will never be higher than right now.
What should the Browns seek in a trade of Garrett?
Two first-round draft picks should be the floor. If the draft picks come from a playoff team drafting very low in Round 1, the Browns should also ask for a starting player and/or another pick in the 2026 draft. Since the Browns already own nine picks in the 2025 draft – and probably will receive at least two more as compensatory picks after the sixth round – they should seek to add to their 2026 draft whenever possible.
Which teams would be interested in Garrett?
Existing playoff contenders such as Detroit, Washington, Green Bay, Buffalo and Minnesota should have interest. But salary cap restraints would limit the field. Division rivals should not be regarded as potential trade partners. Garrett’s new team would want to sign him to a lucrative, long-term deal that would fix his costs for perhaps the remainder of his career. For that reason, teams with quarterbacks still playing under their rookie deals are more apt to afford Garrett in their salary structure. Therefore, teams that Berry might target should include Washington, Chicago, New England, Atlanta and Denver.
Could the Browns possibly include Deshaun Watson in a trade of Garrett?
Watson’s Achilles tendon surgeries plus his humungous contract ($92 million due in 2025-26) make this a pipedream. Also, trading Watson would incur an immediate salary cap charge on the Browns that is untenable. They have to take their medicine on Watson’s dead cap charges over the next three years – not in one year.
What should be the timetable for a trade?
There are two artificial deadlines. The latter one would be the April 27 draft, of course. If the Browns are able to acquire a minimum of two first-round draft picks, they’d want one of them to be used in the 2025 draft. The earlier deadline is March 12, the beginning of the new NFL business year, and also the first day any trade would become official. That’s when the Browns have to be under the salary cap. If Garrett is still on the roster on that day, he will count $19.7 million on their cap. The Browns would like to eliminate that charge, or reduce it via a new contract if Garrett stays.