As expected, Myles Garrett was not on the practice field Tuesday as the Cleveland Browns opened their voluntary veteran minicamp.
The three-day minicamp runs through April 23, and Garrett’s absence on Day 1 comes as little surprise. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year skipped Phase 1 of Cleveland’s offseason workout program earlier this month. He was in town over the weekend, but only to attend the Cleveland Cavaliers’ playoff opener against the Toronto Raptors.
He posted a photo on social media after the game showing his bags and shoes alongside an airplane emoji — a clear signal he was not staying in Cleveland for minicamp. Garrett was photographed at a movie premier in Los Angeles on Monday night.
The Browns have said they’re not worried about Garrett’s absence and know the reigning DPOY will be ready to roll when it matters.
“In terms of the spring attendance, it is a voluntary program. You’d love to have all your guys here. But that’s not something we are worried about with a lot of our vets who have been here,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said. “Myles will always be prepared and has always been prepared. He has a very disciplined, hard routine. He’s not the first veteran player to spend the spring programming with their own team and loved ones. As long as guys are ready to go once things become mandatory, we’re fine with it.”
Browns head coach Todd Monken reiterated that while speaking to reporters on Tuesday.
“This is voluntary,” Monken said. “We’re not making a big deal out of this.”
A Pattern With Added Stakes This Offseason
Garrett has skipped voluntary workouts before without any apparent impact on his performance. Last season, he set the NFL’s single-season sack record with 23, earning his second Defensive Player of the Year award. His preparation away from the facility has never been in question.
But this offseason is different in a few key ways. Cleveland is operating under an entirely new coaching staff, with Monken replacing Kevin Stefanski and Mike Rutenberg stepping in as defensive coordinator after Jim Schwartz’s departure.
Garrett had spoken highly of Schwartz before the Browns went in another direction. The early offseason carries more relationship-building weight than usual, and Garrett’s continued absence does little to quiet the chatter that he may be unhappy in Cleveland.
Monken confirmed on Tuesday that he has yet to meet Garrett — the team’s biggest star — face-to-face since getting the job in Cleveland.
GM Berry Pushes Back on Trade Talk
Garrett’s absences have also added fuel to trade speculation that has burned for most of the, stemming in part from a contract restructure that reduced his dead cap cost and made him easier to move on paper. Berry has repeatedly shut that conversation down.
“Myles is a career Brown,” Berry said. “If we wanted to trade Myles, we wouldn’t have needed to make a contract adjustment. So it doesn’t have anything to do with that.”
The next mandatory checkpoint is June 9, when Cleveland’s required minicamp begins. That will be the first date Garrett has no choice but to report, and likely the first time he and his new coaching staff are on the same practice field together.
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