On Monday morning, Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett publicly announced that he would like to leave the franchise:
As a kid dreaming of the NFL, all I focused on was the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl — and that goal fuels me today more than ever. My love for the community of Northeast Ohio and the incredible fanbase of the Cleveland Browns has made this one of the toughest decisions of my life. These past eight years have shaped me into the man that I am today.
While I’ve loved calling this city my home, my desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won’t allow me to be complacent. The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl.
With that in mind, I have requested to be traded from the Cleveland Browns.
— Myles Garrett
The NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Garrett was drafted No. 1 overall by the Browns in the 2017 NFL Draft. Garrett has been one of the league’s best players throughout his career. A dominant edge rusher, Garrett is a four-time First-Team All-Pro and has also been named to the Second-Team on two occasions.
Now 29, Garrett signed a five-year/$125 million extension with the Browns in 2020. Importantly, the contract, which has two years remaining, has no more guaranteed salary. In December, the star made it known that he didn’t want to remain in Cleveland for another rebuild. Browns general manager Andrew Berry has gone on record twice in the past month saying he does not intend to trade Garrett or entertain offers.
With 102.5 sacks, Garrett is the first player to record 100 career sacks before his 29th birthday since sacks became an official stat in 1982. Last year’s DPOY is once again a finalist for the award this season. Regardless of the outcome of this year’s vote, Garrett would likely generate a huge return in any potential trade.
