The Cleveland Browns attempted to quiet some of the noise surrounding Myles Garrett, who has been a no-show so far for voluntary team activities.
Garrett was in town to attend a Cleveland Cavaliers game over the weekend but does not appear to have the team’s veteran minicamp on his radar. After attending Game 1 of the Cavaliers’ first-round NBA Playoff series against the Toronto Raptors, Garrett shared a photo on social media indicating he was flying out of the city. He also missed Phase 1 of the offseason program earlier in the month.
The Browns’ voluntary veteran minicamp runs from April 21-23.
It’s nothing new for Garrett, who has made it his routine to prepare for the season away from the team and skip non-mandatory gatherings. And it’s hard to argue that it hasn’t worked. Garrett is coming off his second Defensive Player of the Year honor after notching an NFL single-season record 23 sacks.
Garrett is also in the spotlight after the team reworked his contract, shifting some of his bonuses around. The Browns pushed his option bonus deadlines from March to seven days before the start of the regular season. It’s a move that, on paper, would make him easier to move if Cleveland ever chose that path. The team has been adamant that a trade is not in their plans.
Browns, Monken Not Worried About Garrett
Garrett has also been oddly quiet this offseason. But general manager Andrew Berry said that he’s been in consistent contact with Garrett, discussing the team’s offseason plans.
“It’s been great with Myles. We stay in communication with all our players, particularly our veteran and senior guys. That’s no different with Myles,” Berry said on the Browns Radio Network. “After the season, through the coaching search, a couple of hours laying out the free agency plan before the start of the league year. Spoke with him two weeks ago about his training and everything. Then just this week talking about the Cavs.”
Berry said part of why he is not worried about Garrett is his track record.
“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,” 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 Coach Todd Monken: Myles Will Be Ready
New head coach Todd Monken addressed Garrett’s absence diplomatically during the first set of workouts.
“First of all, as I’ve said this before, this is voluntary for our players to be here,” Monken said. “Myles will be ready. I’m not worried about Myles.”
But Monken stopped just short of a full endorsement of the approach.
“Hell, I’ve been part of a team since I was five years old,” Monken said. “There’s nothing like it. I wouldn’t miss it because that’s me, that’s how I’m wired. But it is voluntary.”
Cleveland is operating under a new staff this spring, with Monken replacing Kevin Stefanski and Mike Rutenberg stepping in as the new defensive coordinator. That makes the early portion of the offseason carry more relationship-building weight than usual.
Whether Garrett sees enough value in that to change his approach remains to be seen.
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