A lucrative contract extension will not sway Cleveland Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett from his request to be traded, according to a report Thursday from cleveland.com.
Garrett and his team, including agent Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports, have apparently declined contract negotiations with the Browns. Garrett, 29, said in publicly announcing his desire for a trade on Feb. 3 that it’s about winning a Super Bowl, not making more money.
The Browns have been adamant in their stance to not trade him, no matter how bountiful the offer from another team.
“I wouldn’t really touch on any conversations that I have with other teams, just respectfully,” general manger Andrew Berry said on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “I don’t think that’s appropriate just for current and future business, but it’s irrelevant to this situation because we’re not interested in trading Myles.”
They are interested in improving his contract to perhaps make him the highest-paid defensive players in the league, in the neighborhood of $40 million a year. Cleveland made Garrett the first pick of the 2017 draft. He has two years left on his contract with cap hits of $19.7 million this season and $20.4 million in 2026, with no guaranteed money left. He would become a free agent ahead of the 2027 season, according to Spotrac.
Garrett has racked up 102.5 sacks, 20 forced fumbles, 200 quarterback hits and 116 tackles for loss in 117 career regular-season games (114 starts). He has made five straight Pro Bowls and six overall and was the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The Browns have reached the playoffs twice in Garrett’s eight seasons for a total of three postseason games.
“While I’ve loved calling this city my home, my desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won’t allow me to be complacent,” Garrett said when he announced his trade request. “The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl.”
Cleveland was 3-14 last season and has the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in April.
“Myles, as you guys have all heard me say, he’s a huge part of our organization, really good person, he’s an awesome player,” Berry said. “I understand the trade request and everything, but our stance really has not changed. We can’t imagine a situation where not having Myles as a part of the organization is best for the Browns.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday at the combine that he also wants to win a championship, and he expects Garrett to be part of the team getting there.
“As you know, I think the world of Myles,” Stefanski said. “I understand the business of football and I understand these things happen from time to time. But I expect Myles on our team this year, next year, the year after that and so on. He’s part of the present, he’s part of the future.”
–Field Level Media
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