Myles Garrett’s Future with the Browns: A Call for Clarity and Commitment
BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have had their fair share of ups and downs, and this season has been no exception. Despite enduring another season of double-digit losses, the Browns’ star defensive end, Myles Garrett, remains committed to his team. However, Garrett, the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, is seeking assurance from the Browns’ management about their plans to build a winning team around him.
Garrett’s loyalty to the Browns is evident, but he is not interested in being part of a long-term rebuild. He wants to ensure that the organization has a clear and actionable plan to compete at the highest level in the near future. “I’m not trying to rebuild,” Garrett stated emphatically. “I’m trying to win right now. And I want that to be apparent when the season is over and we have those discussions. I want them to be able to illuminate, illustrate that for me so that can be something I can see in the near future. Because that’s all we want to do.”
Garrett’s desire to stay with the Browns is rooted in the loyalty the team showed him by drafting him. However, he is also pragmatic about his career and wants to ensure that he is part of a team that is committed to winning. “I want to stay loyal to a team that showed loyalty to me and faith in me by drafting me. But we have to do, at the end of the day, what’s best for us. So, if we have that alignment where this is something that is still possible in the near future — winning, going deep in the playoffs, putting a great defense out there … I think that would really keep my mind at rest and keep me settled.”
Garrett, 28, has two years remaining on the five-year extension he signed in 2020. A new deal in the offseason could provide the Browns much-needed cap relief. Despite his impressive individual performances, Garrett has played in just three playoff games since Cleveland selected him with the top pick in the 2017 draft.
Last week, Garrett expressed support for head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry, who have led the organization since the 2020 season. But on Friday, Garrett was more vocal in his desire to see the team’s plans.
When asked if those plans included the quarterback position, Garrett said, “Absolutely. Whether [quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson] is the solution or someone else is, it’s got to be drawn out. There’s got to be a plan of action.”
On Sunday, the Browns will start Thompson-Robinson, a 2023 fifth-round pick, for the recently benched Jameis Winston. Thompson-Robinson will be the third quarterback to start for the Browns this season and the 40th since the franchise moved back to Cleveland in 1999.
Deshaun Watson, for whom the organization traded three first-round picks and gave a fully guaranteed $230 million contract before the 2022 season, sustained a season-ending right Achilles tendon tear in Week 7. He has posted the lowest QBR among qualifying passers since making his debut in Cleveland.
Garrett’s commitment to the Browns is clear, but he is also aware of the limited time he has to achieve his career goals. “I want to be a Cleveland Brown. I want to play here. I want to end my career here,” Garrett said. “But if we choose to do a rebuild and it’s two, three, four years out, I want to be able to compete and play at a high level, play meaningful games and be playing past January.”
- Garrett wants clarity on the Browns’ future plans.
- He is committed to winning and not interested in a rebuild.
- Garrett has two years left on his current contract.
- The Browns have struggled with quarterback consistency.
- Deshaun Watson’s injury has impacted the team’s performance.
As the Browns look to the future, the decisions they make in the coming months will be crucial in determining whether they can build a team capable of competing for championships. For Myles Garrett, the time is now, and he is eager to see the Browns’ vision for success.
Originally Written by: Daniel Oyefusi
