If Myles Garrett decides to revisit his trade demand, the Cleveland Browns already have a simple, one-word answer prepared for the superstar pass-rusher.
Garrett’s long-term commitment to Cleveland has been questioned again in recent days following the team’s decision to hire Todd Monken as its next head coach, choosing him over defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Multiple Browns players — including Garrett and Denzel Ward — publicly backed Schwartz for the job.
Garrett has remained quiet about the decision. He hasn’t spoken publicly since the hire, recently withdrew from the Pro Bowl, and only added to the speculation by posting a cryptic meme suggesting he’s exhausted by the situation.
Garrett demanded a trade ahead of last season, citing his desire to play for a contender. But after a 5-12 campaign, an unsettled quarterback situation and another coaching reset, the Browns don’t appear any closer to Super Bowl contention.
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com addressed the possibility of Garrett requesting a trade for a second straight offseason — and made it clear Cleveland’s stance wouldn’t change.
“They don’t expect Garrett to ask to be traded, but if he does, the answer will be ‘no,’ just like it was last year when he asked out to try to win a Super Bowl elsewhere,” Cabot said. “Instead, the Browns signed Garrett to a four-year contract last March that runs through 2030 at $40 million a year, and fully intend to have him finish his career here.”
Browns DE Myles Garrett Not Interested in Rebuild
Garrett and the defense were not the problem for the Browns last season. The unit finished the season ranked No. 4 in the NFL in yards allowed per game (283.6), despite an offense that hovered near the bottom of the league in nearly every major category. Garrett continued to carry the unit, piling up an NFL single-season record 23 sacks.
After the season wrapped up, Garrett spoke about his future with the Browns after missing the postseason.
“I’m committed to winning and as long as the team and the organization are doing so — they’re committed to that same thing — then I’m all on board,” Garrett said. “But if we’re thinking anything other than winning — tanking or rebuilding — it’s not me.”
Browns Exploring All Options at Quarterback
Now that the head coaching decision is in place, the Browns’ next big question is who starts at quarterback in Week 1 next season.
Shedeur Sanders is the early frontrunner after making seven starts as a rookie, but Cleveland isn’t treating anything as locked in. General manager Andrew Berry made it clear the team plans to evaluate every option.
“I think we saw a lot of progress with Shedeur this year. I think that’s both mentally, physically, playing the position. He’s still very much a work in progress like many rookie quarterbacks are,” Berry said. “Now that all being said, we’re going to do our work on the quarterback market. It’s too important of a position and it’s something that has to be solidified.”
Sanders is also headed to the Pro Bowl Games as one of Cleveland’s two representatives, along with Ward. As the Browns sort through their QB outlook, they’ll also have Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson under contract.
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