Is Garrett’s Time as a Brown Coming to a Close? Star DE’s Public Demand Sparks Speculation

Drafted first overall after the Cleveland Browns went 0-16, star pass-rusher Myles Garrett has been through a rebuild. Overseen by three GMs, that climb produced a quality roster that has seen quarterback hiccups — one that has the team in an unprecedented bind — otherwise define the period.

In a statement that sounds a bit more like what an NBA superstar would provide, Garrett wants clarity from Browns management about the team’s plans. Making it clear he is not interested in being part of another rebuild, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year did not dismiss a trade request if he does not receive the answers he wants.

“First of all, I want to win. I want the Browns to be able to put me and us in position to win. I’m not trying to rebuild,” Garrett said, via Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. “I’m trying to win right now. I want that to be apparent, when the season’s over and we have those discussions, I want them to be able to illuminate that for me, illustrate that for me, so that can be something that I can see in the near future.“

I’m going to stay loyal to a team that showed loyalty to me and faith in me by drafting me. But we have to do, at the end of the day, what’s best for us.”

This strategy has keyed numerous NBA exits, in a league in which the stars hold more power compared to the NFL. The league Garrett plays in features additional mechanisms, most notably the franchise tag, for teams to retain stars. As Deshaun Watson‘s struggles pushed that situation well past a crisis point ahead of the trade deadline, teams asked about Garrett. The Browns shot them down, viewing he and Denzel Ward as building blocks. But Garrett may be ready to force the issue soon.“

Absolutely,” Garrett said when asked if the Browns need to explain a QB plan. “As uncertain as it is now from the outside looking in, it’s uncertain for us as well. So if [Dorian Thompson-Robinson] is the solution or someone else is, it’s got to be drawn out. There’s got to be a plan of action and just got to know where things are going.”