Cleveland, Ohio On December 20, Myles Garrett—possibly the best defensive player in Browns history—warned the world that if the team couldn’t provide him with a Super Bowl blueprint, he could want to leave.
Citing his ambition to win that elusive Super Bowl, he shocked the NFL community on Monday by requesting a trade from the Browns.
When I was younger and dreamed of playing in the NFL, my only concentration was on winning a Super Bowl, and that ambition still motivates me today. This was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make because of my love for Northeast Ohio and the Cleveland Browns’ amazing fan base. In a statement provided to Cleveland.com, Garrett, the current NFL Defensive Player of the Year, said, “These past eight years have shaped me into the man that I am today.” Even though I’ve enjoyed being in this city, I can’t afford to be complacent since I want to succeed and compete on the largest platforms.
The objective has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl, not to go from Cleveland to Canton.
I have asked to be traded from the Cleveland Browns in light of that.
This is the trade request for #BrownsMyles Garrett:tweet.com/D1482Yi6I0
After a terribly poor 3–14 season, it remains to be seen if he will receive his dream. According to a league source who spoke to Cleveland.com, the club’s position hasn’t altered since Berry stated in his season-ending press conference that he wanted Garrett to retire as a Brown and enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame directly from Cleveland.
To be honest, Berry stated the week following the season that he expects Myles to be here and retire as a Brown. I thus expect him to have a straight ticket from Cleveland to Canton at the end of his [years].
When Berry visited with three Browns beat reporters covering the Senior Bowl last week, he reiterated that point. He stated unequivocally that you can put that on the record and that he would not deal Garrett, not even for two first-round picks.
According to him, the much awaited postseason exit meeting with Garrett went smoothly.
Last week, Berry stated, “We always have a really good and direct two-way communication with our players.” Myles is clearly a significant part of our future, which makes us feel very good. We can’t wait for him to take the field. When his career is ended, we see him moving from Cleveland to Canton, as I stated in my press conference in early January.
Additionally, Berry stated last week that he is definitely amenable to the contract extension that Garrett disclosed following the Baltimore season finale. His contract, which is the fifth-highest among NFL edge rushers, pays $25 million annually through 2026. Nick Bosa of San Francisco is the NFL’s highest paid edge rusher, earning $34 million annually. Garrett, who the Browns have repeatedly referred to as the NFL’s top defensive player, will undoubtedly want to be compensated accordingly.
I don’t want to talk about contracts. Berry stated, “I wouldn’t do that in public.” However, I believe it is reasonable to infer that we do plan to enter into a third deal with Myles at some point. This is where we want him to retire.
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With his statement that the objective was always to play for and win a Super Bowl rather than to go from Cleveland to Canton, was Garrett possibly throwing a final jab at Berry? Berry and Garrett, the Browns’ 2017 No. 1 overall choice, have reportedly always had a terrific rapport and working relationship. Although Garrett criticizing Berry would be out of character, it’s possible that the initial contract negotiations or strategy for competing didn’t go as planned.
He wants to be associated with Super Bowls since he is aware that he is nearing the end of his career. The Browns have only had two winning seasons in his eight seasons, going 0-16 in his debut. Additionally, he has only advanced to the playoffs twice and has only won one of three games.
However, Garrett appeared to ease tensions with a hopeful outlook for the future in a post-season edition of Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North.
During the episode, Garrett stated, “I’ve spoken to [general manager Andrew Berry].” How are we going to utilize all of the available talent?Some people may not realize how close we are.
“I really share in our fans’ disappointment, frustration,” Berry stated at his postseason press conference, echoing his feelings. To be completely honest, I’m ashamed of the team’s performance this year. To put it simply, we fell short of expectations. Our choices at the beginning of the year fell short of expectations, and I am ultimately to blame.
For the first time, a gloomy Garrett indicated that he might want to leave during his tragic late-season press conference.
In order for me to see (winning) as something that I can see soon after the season is finished and we have those conversations, I want that to be clear and for them to be able to show it to me. Because we only want to do that.
I’m going to stick with a team that drafted me because they believed in me and showed devotion to me. But ultimately, we must act in our own best interests. Therefore, if we have that alignment, winning, making it far in the playoffs, playing excellent defense, having a time of possession, and running an offense are all still feasible in the near future.
Returning all the men. That seems like it would help me relax and stay calm. Not just mine, but many of the D-line and defense players on the club. However, we must keep moving forward—not just as athletes, but also at the highest level.
The Cavaliers’ minority owner Garrett also said that his friend and teammate LeBron James, who is also represented by Klutch Sports, advised him that he needs championships to solidify his reputation as one of the all-time great edge rushers. Naturally, James traveled to South Beach to win his first NBA championship with the Heat.
“I mean, LeBron has definitely given me advice,” he remarked. He has witnessed every aspect of the sports world, and his counsel has been invaluable. Over the past few years, it has been really helpful to be around him and his staff and gain knowledge from them. Along the road, there have been more. However, it has undoubtedly been essential for me and my team to use my voice and platform to our advantage.
The rest of the sports community also voiced their opinions as Garrett’s close friend and Cavaliers standout Donovan Mitchell shared a stunned emoji on X.
As he enters his ninth season, Garrett must feel that winning a title is out of the question because the Browns are looking to replace their quarterback and revamp the quarterback room following the botched Deshaun Watson trade with Houston. In 2025, the Browns might start a rookie quarterback—possibly Cam Ward of Shedeur Sanders—but they will probably pick a quarterback.
Garrett, who broke many records in 2024, is likely to fetch the Browns two first-round picks and more. What effect this will have on other veterans hoping to win, such left guard Joel Bitonio, who is thinking about retiring, is still unknown. According to Denzel Ward, he would be watching Garrett’s back to get the pattern that the Browns provided him.
Garrett, a repeat nominee for Defensive Player of the Year, finished second in the league with 14 sacks in 2024, trailing only Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson’s 17.5. When he sacked Joe Burrow in Week 16, he became the fourth-fastest player to earn 100 career sacks and the only man to do so before turning 29. He also became the first player in NFL history to record 14 sacks in four straight seasons.
With 102.5 career sacks, 29-year-old Garrett leads the Browns in all-time sacks.
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