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Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett is unlikely to be traded.
Myles Garrett trade rumors are swirling again, yet there’s little indication the Cleveland Browns are any closer to parting with their star pass rusher than they were a year ago.
Garrett, the face of the Browns’ defense and the most dominant pass rusher in football, has again been linked to trade speculation this offseason. On Monday, ESPN analyst and former NFL exec Mike Tannenbaum floated the idea of Garrett as a potential fit for the Detroit Lions — a contender looking to bolster its defense.
The departure of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and the arrival of new head coach Todd Monken have fueled the renewed chatter about Garrett’s long-term happiness in Cleveland. However, Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland poured cold water on the idea that a deal is remotely realistic.
“If they wouldn’t trade him when he wanted to be traded, why would he do an about-face?” Grossi said. “He’s more difficult to trade now than he was a year ago. He’s got a bigger contract. There are more salary cap ramifications both for the Browns and the team that acquires him.”
Browns’ Myles Garrett Can Veto Trade
Garrett publicly pushed for a trade last offseason, making it clear that his priority was competing for a Super Bowl.
“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,” Garrett said in his trade demand posted to social media. “The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl.”
Instead of moving their franchise cornerstone and perennial Defensive Player of the Year contender, the Browns doubled down, signing Garrett to a four-year, $160 million extension that ties him to the organization through 2030. There’s also the fact that Garrett has a no-trade clause, which means he would have a say in his next team.
“He’s got a no-trade clause, so you can’t just trade him to the Jets,” Grossi said. “He’s got to approve the trade. He is in for the long haul.”
For Cleveland, trading Garrett would trigger massive dead money that they cannot afford. For an acquiring team, it would require a significant financial commitment and draft picks.
Browns Star Myles Garrett Makes Feelings Clear on Rebuild
The Browns limped to a 5-12 finish last season, once again falling short of the postseason. Garrett, meanwhile, delivered a historic campaign — setting an NFL single-season record with 23 sacks and earning his second Defensive Player of the Year award.
Garrett made it clear at season’s end that his commitment to Cleveland is unwavering, so long as the organization matches his urgency to win.
“I’m committed to winning, and as long as the team and the organization are 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—that’s not me.”
The Browns will have a chance to show Garrett they mean business when free agency opens in March and again during the NFL Draft in April. Cleveland holds two first-round picks.
J.R. DeGroote JR DeGroote is a staff writer for Heavy.com, where he has covered the NFL, NBA, and trending sports stories since 2019. His work focuses on some of the most passionate fanbases in sports, including reporting on the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers. More about J.R. DeGroote
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