Browns ‘taking a risk’ on Myles Garrett trade as superstar skips OTAs amid links to hometown team

Myles Garrett ended speculation about a Cleveland Browns exit by signing a massive $160 million extension in 2025.

The Hall of Fame lock went on to break the all-time single-season sack record in a campaign which saw his team finish 5-12 after burning through three quarterbacks.

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General manager Andrew Berry has branded Garrett a “Brown for life” but everybody has their price and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says Cleveland could be willing to deal the All-Pro.

“Things are ‘TBD’ until you hear otherwise,” he told 92.3 TheFan. “That could be next week. That could be the trade deadline. It’s absolutely something worth paying attention to. This could just be time.”

Garrett is racking up individual stats but does not have much of a postseason career.

He is unlikely to find one on a roster still burdened by Deshaun Watson‘s contract.

Myles Garrett trade makes sense for Browns

A trade could be the best thing for both parties. The 30-year-old would have contenders scrambling for his services, while the Browns could secure trade capital and lose their way to a high pick in a stellar NFL Draft class.

Some analysts believe next April could see six quarterbacks taken in the first round and the Browns would have a decent shot at a future franchise star, as well as being clear of Watson.

“His timeline doesn’t really align with those of the 2025 and 2026 draft classes that Cleveland hopes will lay the foundation for the franchise moving forward,” Breer wrote for SI. “Which means the Browns have to be honest with themselves about where they are, and how likely it is that those guys come of age, and a quarterback is entrenched, while Garrett’s still in his prime.

“Where you don’t want to be is in a place where Garrett falls off, or his trade value tumbles because you waited too long, just as all the young talent comes together.

“So I’d look at it, for sure. And I wouldn’t be stunned if, quietly, they have.

“If you don’t do it now, you risk in a year or two when maybe your team is really ready to win, getting a lot less for him.”

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Garrett is yet to meet new head coach Todd Monken and was a huge fan of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who quit after losing out to the former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator.

He has not taken part in OTAs so far as Watson looks to win the QB1 shirt ahead of Shedeur Sanders.

“Myles Garrett is not expected for the second week of voluntary OTAs, and it remains to be seen if Denzel Ward will attend either of the remaining two days this week,” beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot revealed. “But both will be here for mandatory minicamp June 9-11.”

Why hasn’y Myles Garrett met Todd Monken yet?

The veteran has more leeway due to his status as an all-world talent and there have been no demands from his camp like last year.

Cabot added: “Garrett has been mostly traveling in Asia since Monken said at voluntary minicamp that they’ve only exchanged a few text messages so far, so it’s not surprising they haven’t met yet.”

The Browns brass remain adamant they are not seeking a trade, but Garrett’s contract has been restructured in a way that means the team could be off the hook for most of his 2026 salary if a deal is struck.

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As for landing spots, not every team could stomach the cap hit of a deal that runs through 2030, but plenty would find a way to move numbers around for one of the greatest pass-rushers ever.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who traded away Micah Parsons last offseason, could decide to bring Arlington’s favorite son back home.

“I think the Eagles are somebody you always pay attention to,” insisted Breer. “It’s a little hard to see them pulling it off just because of their salary cap situation.

“Dallas is one that, to me, that’s where he’s from. So like, there would be an appeal there and they obviously traded away Micah Parsons a year ago, so they are a team that would look at something like that. There’s no shortage of suitors.”

This might be the best chance the Browns have to turn Garrett into a haul.

The foundations of a winning roster are already in place and the franchise could finally become a contender by the time its new home is ready.

First, there is a quarterback problem to fix in Ohio. Stop me if you’ve heard that one before.

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