Tiny dinosaurs representing Myles Garrett's passion for paleontology set a light tone for the press conference. (TheLandOnDemand)
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.
Myles Garrett said he had no regrets about his trade request, for putting fans through an emotional wringer for about six weeks, for possibly alienating teammates, for insisting it wasn’t about the money.
At a press conference intended to celebrate his reunion with the club through a historic contract extension, Garrett didn’t back down from putting management on notice to do better, or for accepting what cynics might portray as $160 million in hush money, including a bag of $123 million guaranteed.
“No,” Garrett said in his soft-spoken cadence. “I mean, from day one, I’ve always said that I’ve wanted to bring a championship to Northeast Ohio, so that doesn’t change my stance.
“And I’m just going to continue to turn those opinions around or reinforce those opinions by going out and doing what I’ve always done, going out to make plays, being a great teammate, great leader, and being the best person I could be on this field and off the field for the Cleveland Browns.”
The Browns sought to create a light and festive tone for the occasion by decorating the media room with a motif honoring Garrett’s obsession with paleontology. Tiny plastic dinosaurs were situated on the podium and sheets of cupcakes adorned with miniature Garrett figurines riding dinosaurs were delivered.
GM Andrew Berry and J.W. Johnson, executive vice president, sat in the back, but did not speak. Also in attendance were agent Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports Group, an associate in an expensive suit, and Garrett family members.
The bottom line
There was a definitive heel turn by fans in this Garrett saga.
Originally, they commiserated with his plight as a great player doomed by an organization unable to produce a winner. Garrett was viewed as the next Joe Thomas – a future Hall of Famer who “deserved” to finish his career with a Super Bowl contender.
But Garrett’s interview circuit at the Super Bowl, in which he repeatedly insisted he was not asking for money as a negotiating ploy, rubbed wrong with fans. It was a stark contrast to Thomas, who declined to chase a Super Bowl ring when given the opportunity.
“That media row run, that created more discourse between myself and management,” Garrett said. “That created conversation between myself and [Berry], Jimmy [Haslam], and up and down the chain and that kind of stuff became a main variable for this deal getting done, these conversations down the road.
“So I think the fans will see that my heart’s in the right place. It’s never been about money. It’s always been about winning. And that’s where my frustration lies.”
Garrett went on to thank and shout out Lynn as “the best agent in the world.”
“I just knew that when the time came and we all know we’re on the same page, know that she went on and did what she does and got the best deal possible for myself and for the Browns,” Garrett said.
Which means it was all about the money.
Which is OK. And shame on us who believed it wasn’t.
“I don’t tell fans anything,” Garrett said. “I go out there and prove it. If it’s about the money, then I can just pack it in and not go out there and give my best effort. But I plan to be the best person possible in this locker room, be the best leader possible, as well as dominating on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. So that kind of mindset remaining and being displayed on those days when everyone’s watching, that really shows you what it’s all about. Going out and giving everything for those kind of wins and what I’ve done year in, year out, that really proves it to the fans. No amount of words will.”
Leadership
Nobody on the Browns talks more about leadership than Garrett. Leader is a label he desperately covets but probably will never attain. The C on his jersey was earned only by his freakish ability.
The true leaders on the Browns, in my opinion, are Joel Bitonio, Denzel Ward and Nick Chubb. They lead by example, by their work ethic during the week, by their willingness to tutor younger players, by their authentic professionalism. I never see them dancing to the music played at practice or preening to national media outlets.
Garrett is far and away the best player. He has been blessed with the most athletic ability. He wins most of his in-game battles with sheer athleticism. He is relentless on game day, a sheer force that opposing offensive coordinators lie awake fearing.
But throughout the work days of the week, Garrett falls short of leadership.
When former teammates Jadeveon Clowney and Malik Jackson made critical comments about Garrett’s leadership ability, most in the Northeast Ohio media brushed them aside. Same with fans. Clowney and Jackson, after all, were “hired guns” who were just passing through. But their criticisms were spot on.
Garrett was asked if the new contract places a greater responsibility on him within the organization.
“Not in my mind,” he answered. “I’ll continue to be the person that I have been, and I think just being that constant leader, I don’t think you can put a dollar sign on that at any time. Leaders come from guys who are undrafted to guys who are the highest paid. It doesn’t take a playmaker to be a leader, nor does it take, like I said, a dollar sign. So continue to learn to be more and more of leader every year and every day.”
We all owe Garrett this
Whatever anyone thinks of Garrett for his shallow “change of heart,” impassioned followers of the Browns owe him a thank you.
He DID call out Haslam and Berry for failing to get the quarterback situation right and for failing to produce a consistent winner.
He expressed the frustration that generations of fans have felt tenfold – no, hundredfold.
He also gave the Browns the opportunity to do the right thing and trade him for assets to rebuild the franchise. Garrett’s trade request lifted the onus of trading the team’s best player – not the most popular -- off management.
Alas, they didn’t take advantage.
Had they publicly acknowledged that Garrett indeed was available for trade, I am positive the Browns would have drawn multiple good offers to choose from.
Instead, they chose to believe in their over-evaluation of their roster and that the Browns are closer to the 11-6 2023 team than the 3-14 2024 team.
The least convincing thing Garrett said was in answer to a question about his faith in Haslam and Berry getting this quarterback thing right.
“Well, I mean, just leaning on AB and his expertise and knowing that he has a plan on what this team and this offense will look like going forward, and he’s going to put the best offense possible out there,” Garrett said. “He’s going to get a QB that we all continue to have faith in and we’re going to go out and do our thing on defense.”
In other words, nothing has changed.