No Rush To Make A Move With Myles

There’s an old adage sports reporters use when they are asked who they want to win in a specific game or series. Most times they say “I’m rooting for the story”.

We think that where several sports media people in Cleveland are on the Myles Garrett situation.

Many of these folks say the Browns have to make a decision on Garrett as soon as possible, hopefully when the new league year starts in March.

We say what’s the hurry, other than it provides conversation for sports talk stations.

First, we are not salary cap experts, but we have read several articles from people who understand it and the Browns would take an enormous cap hit by trading Garrett. Factor in the consequences of Deshaun Watson contract and any move involving a trade is very difficult for the franchise.

Second, no doubt the Browns don’t want the situation to get contentious with their All-Pro defensive end, but Garrett really doesn’t have much leverage. He’s under contract for two more years, so if the Browns don’t trade him and he still wants to play football in 2025, he’s playing in Cleveland.

Again, neither side wants it to go that way.

However, there is no reason to rush to make a move with Myles Garrett.

Many people suggest the draft is a good time for a move but think about it from the team trading for the pass rusher’s point of view. Do you think they would rather deal a pick in this year’s selection process or next year’s draft?

Because if you wait until after the draft, you can’t deal a 2025 selection, you’ve pushed it out to ’26. Tell us what team wouldn’t prefer that.

After the draft is kind of a dead period for the NFL. There are the optional and mandatory mini camps, but no football is being played at that time. No wins and no losses.

So, from our viewpoint there is no rush to do anything with Garrett until training camps open in late July. That gives the Browns five months to discuss their plans for the next two or three years with Garrett and get him back on board with the franchise.

And that’s what we would do. We heard David Njoku and Denzel Ward talk last week about how much they wanted Garrett in brown and orange, and the Browns should encourage more of those conversations.

In that time period, you could have a great draft adding a lot of pieces Garrett might find interesting. The Browns could upgrade the quarterback position and Kevin Stefanski could show him how the team can return to the record they had just a little over a year ago when they made the playoffs.

The point is there is no rush to make a move. We’ve all heard the expression that time heals all wounds, and time is the one thing Jimmy Haslam, Andrew Berry, and Stefanski have.

Whatever happens with Garrett will alter the future of the Cleveland Browns. Being patient for that reason alone is the smartest decision.