Myles Garrett took his 'please trade me' campaign to the ESPN Super Bowl pre-game show. (TheLandOnDemand)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst of the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Not satisfied with his all-day performance on Radio Row at the Super Bowl on Thursday, Myles Garrett took his ring-chasing campaign to the ESPN Super Bowl pre-game show on Sunday.
In a brief interview via Zoom on the telecast, Garrett reiterated to host Mike Greenberg that he came to the point of asking for a trade from the Browns after consulting with his family and Browns management.
“Speaking with management with the Browns, I just felt like at this current time I don’t feel like our future is aligned with winning right now,” Garrett said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to doing at this state of my career. I have a lot of love for Northeast Ohio, you know, a community that brought me into the league, but [I] want to get to contending and winning playoff games and having a chance to be in games like today.”
In response to Greenberg’s question about the involvement of LeBron James in his decision, Garrett said, “Over the last couple of years, LeBron has come to be a good friend and a valuable resource, and he knows what it’s like to work through these thoughts and emotions that come with leaving a special community like Northeast Ohio. And so, working through the decision was all my own and something I had to do by myself, but just leaning on him as a resource and a friend was something invaluable for that time.”
ESPN analyst Randy Moss asked Garrett what would be the ideal organization for him to be traded to.
“I’m not really tied to any particular team in general right now,” Garrett said. “I just want to go out and contend. I want to be playing meaningful games at the end of the season … in the regular season and going into the postseason, as well. That’s just the legacy you want to build. The games that you remember the most, I want to be a part of that NFL history. So any team that’s on the way to contending or making those next steps on the cusp, I can see myself being part of that and taking them over the top.”
Studio analyst and former Eagles center Jason Kelce, a native of Cleveland Heights, jokingly asked Garrett about playing for the NFC champions.
“I think they’re looking great,” Garrett said, laughing. “Their front four is outstanding. I’m liking how all these young guys are really getting after it. I know they kind of expedited your exit out of the league, Jalen Carter and those guys, kind of like I did with Joe Thomas. Those boys look good.”
Garrett is under contract for two more years at a team-friendly salary structure. But because of past adjustments to his contract, the Browns would suffer a cap hit of about $34 million if he were traded before June 1.
Analyst Tedy Bruschi asked Garrett if he would be willing to accommodate a Browns trade contractually.
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes,” Garrett said. “[I] want to have a chance to win those big games, to go out there and compete, to elevate a team, as a player, as a teammate, as a leader. And just come in and have an immediate effect.”
Greenberg thanked Garrett for his time and told him to enjoy the game.
“Thank you very much. God bless you all,” Garrett said.