Six-time Pro Bowler Myles Garrett wants out of Cleveland, citing his desire to compete for a Super Bowl. With the Browns struggling, what’s next for the star defender?
Myles Garrett Wants Out of Cleveland
Myles Garrett has officially requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns.
In a statement to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the six-time Pro Bowl defensive end made it clear that his hunger for winning won’t allow him to settle. “My desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won’t allow me to be complacent,” Garrett said, emphasizing that his ultimate goal is to win a Super Bowl.
Despite this, the Browns don’t seem interested in letting him go. A team spokesperson told the Associated Press’ Tom Withers that they are “not entertaining trade offers for Myles.”
Breaking: Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and #Browns star Myles Garrett has requested a trade.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 3, 2025
Exclusive statement: pic.twitter.com/LgS5YCeCnP
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Browns’ Stance on Keeping Garrett
This request comes just days after Browns general manager Andrew Berry reassured fans that Garrett was staying put. Berry, who has repeatedly stated that Garrett is a cornerstone of the franchise, doubled down on that stance recently.
“We feel really good about Myles obviously as a big piece of our future,” Berry said. “We’re looking forward to him being on the field. Like I said in my (early January) press conference, we envision him going from Cleveland to Canton when his career is over.”
Garrett, however, didn’t seem thrilled with that statement, making it clear that his “goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton.” That response seems like a direct rebuttal to Berry’s remarks.
The Deshaun Watson trade cost the Browns three first-round picks, Nick Chubb’s prime and Myles Garrett. No other way to spin this.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) February 3, 2025
Why Garrett Might Want Out
At 29, Garrett is in his prime, and it’s understandable why he might be frustrated with Cleveland’s direction.
The Browns took a huge gamble when they acquired Deshaun Watson, giving him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. That decision has backfired in a major way. Watson’s performance has fallen off, and he has struggled to stay healthy—he tore his right Achilles for the second time in January.
On top of that, Watson carries a massive $72.9 million cap hit for both 2025 and 2026. That means a big chunk of the Browns’ payroll is tied to a quarterback who has been either injured or underwhelming.
Garrett likely sees the writing on the wall. If the team can’t build a true contender, he might prefer to take his talents elsewhere.
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What This Means for the Browns
There’s no sugarcoating it—Garrett’s trade request is a big blow to the Browns. He’s one of the best defensive players in the league, and losing him would make the team significantly weaker.
At the same time, this situation might give Berry the chance to hit the reset button. Garrett’s trade value is sky-high, and if the Browns decide to move on, they could set themselves up for a full rebuild.
Cleveland already owns nine picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, including the No. 2 overall selection. Trading Garrett could add even more assets, giving the team plenty of young, cost-controlled players to build around.
If the Browns do move forward with a rebuild, there’s one big question: Should Berry be the one calling the shots?
After all, Garrett’s frustration could be seen as a direct critique of Berry’s tenure. The Watson contract, roster moves, and overall direction of the team have led to this moment. If Garrett no longer trusts the Browns to build a winner, fans might start questioning whether Berry is the right person to fix things.
For now, the Browns are saying they won’t trade Garrett. But in the NFL, things can change fast. If a team makes a strong enough offer, Cleveland might have to reconsider.
One thing is for sure—this situation is far from over.
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