After a disastrous 3-14 season that left them tied with the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans for the worst record in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns are now dealing with an even bigger issue: Myles Garrett reportedly wants out.
Garrett, a four-time All-Pro and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, has been the heart and soul of Cleveland’s defense since being drafted first overall in 2017. But with the Browns’ future not looking bright and ongoing uncertainty at quarterback, the 29-year-old pass rusher wants a fresh start.
Naturally, trade speculation has already begun, but one NFL media personality took things to another level, suggesting an out-of-the-box idea that would not only move Garrett but also rid the Browns of their biggest financial maelstrom: Deshaun Watson.
Mike Florio’s ‘Unrealistic but Interesting’ Proposal
On a recent episode of Pro Football Talk, Mike Florio floated a scenario first suggested to him by a friend in which the Browns could package both Garrett and Watson in the same trade — effectively using Garrett’s value as leverage to get another team to take Watson’s albatross of a contract off their books.
“Here’s a possibility. You call up a team that might be interested in Myles Garrett and say, ‘We don’t want to trade Myles Garrett, but we respect his wishes. We will trade Myles Garrett to you in exchange for the draft picks we want, but if you want Myles Garrett, you’ve got to take Deshaun Watson.’”
To say it’s a bold idea would be an understatement. On one hand, the Browns could finally escape Watson’s massive five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract, which has been a financial nightmare since they acquired him in 2022. On the other, this kind of deal seems nearly impossible to pull off.
Sorry Florio, This Trade Won’t Happen
While Florio’s idea is certainly creative, it’s also wildly unrealistic. There’s no doubt that Garrett would command a massive return being one of the best defensive players in football, and teams would gladly pay the price to land his talents. However, trying to attach Watson to the deal is where things fall apart.
Watson’s contract remains one of the worst in NFL history. He’s due $46 million per year in 2025 and 2026, with a staggering $72.9 million cap hit, and his on-field performance hasn’t come close to justifying that price. Injuries, off-field controversies, and inconsistent play have plagued his Browns tenure, and no team in the league is going to absorb that contract willingly — even for a superstar like Garrett.
At best, the Browns could try to move Garrett on his own and recoup draft capital to start rebuilding. Cleveland would want a massive haul in return, and any team trading for him would need the financial flexibility to take on his contract.
As for Watson, unless the Browns are willing to eat a significant portion of his contract, he’s staying in Cleveland. No amount of creative trade packaging is likely to change that reality.
