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Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett was a no-show for the team’s offseason program.
Not showing up to voluntary offseason workouts is going to cost Myles Garrett.
Garrett did not show up to Phase 1 of the team’s offseason program this week. It was expected and something Garrett has done in the past. However, there’s a workout bonus in his contract that is based on his participation, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.
“To earn it, Garrett must participate in 84.375 percent of the offseason workout sessions, participate in all minicamps, participate in all OTA days, and timely report to training camp,” Florio said. “If he doesn’t satisfy the 84.375-percent minimum for the first two phases of the program and show up for all minicamps and OTA days, $1 million of his 2026 base compensation will be gone.”
Garrett looks willing to sacrifice the money to stay on his routine. After all, it’s worked out for him. Garrett is coming off a record-setting campaign, notching 23 sacks and earning his second Defensive Player of the Year honor.
Trade Rumors Persist About Myles Garrett
Garrett’s absence is adding fuel to trade speculation that has burned this offseason. A contract tweak regarding Garrett’s bonuses that made him easier to move sparked the latest round of trade rumors.
Despite the speculation, general manager Andrew Berry has called Garrett a “career Brown,” and doesn’t want to give the conversation and more fuel.
“If we wanted to trade Myles, we wouldn’t have needed to make a contract adjustment,” Berry said, via ESPN. “So it doesn’t have anything to do with that.
“I think we’ve been very clear both past and present in terms of our feelings. I understand all the questions. I’ll be honest, I don’t really want to waste a ton more breath on the topic.”
Browns Not Concerned About Myles Garrett Absence
As one of the team’s core leaders, Myles Garrett’s presence would be valuable at every offseason touchpoint. The Browns are entering a new era under head coach Todd Monken, with Mike Rutenberg stepping in as defensive coordinator, making opportunities for connection and continuity even more significant.
Monken addressed Garrett’s absence but made it clear there’s no concern.
“First of all, as I’ve said before, this is voluntary for our players to be here,” Monken said. “I think if you asked every coach in the NFL, would they like every player to be there? Of course. I think there’s certain parts of what we do from a connection standpoint that I think is important to be here, [as well as] from a schematic standpoint. From a work standpoint? Not so much. And it is our job to make it to where the guys want to be here. I mean, not just by the job, but by the development, the camaraderie, being part of a team. And hell, I’ve been a part of a team since I was five years old — there’s nothing like it. I wouldn’t miss it, because that’s me, that’s how I’m wired. But it is voluntary.”
The Browns will begin voluntary veteran minicamp on April 21.
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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