Myles Garrett has been one of the best players in the NFL since being drafted first overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.
In those eight seasons, he’s been named to the Pro Bowl six times, earned four First-Team All-Pro nods, and accrued a whopping 102.5 sacks in 117 games. He also led the Cleveland Browns to their first playoff win this century in 2020 over the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as a follow-up postseason appearance in 2023.
Now, he’s ready to move on from the only franchise he’s ever known.
Myles Garrett Requests Trade, Wants To Chase Super Bowls
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Garrett is requesting a trade out of Cleveland.
Breaking: Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and #Browns star Myles Garrett has requested a trade.
Exclusive statement: pic.twitter.com/LgS5YCeCnP
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 3, 2025
Garrett’s request is stunning, to say the least.
He’s the record-holder for numerous Browns franchise totals, and, despite the team’s ongoing inability to find a franchise quarterback, continues to keep them relevant in the modern NFL landscape.
However, the team simply has been unable to break through since its late-90s hiatus. Since returning to Cleveland in 1999, they’ve put up a ghastly 141-278-1 record, accentuated by a 1-3 record in the playoffs. Garrett’s statement is both harsh and an indictment of the franchise, but not false.
NFL World Notes Garrett’s Frustration for Browns’ Front Office
Fans and pundits alike were very quick to pick up on Garrett’s wording in his trade request, noting the end of his statement in particular:
“The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl. With that in mind, I have requested to be traded from the Cleveland Browns.”
That’s a callback to something Browns general manager Andrew Berry has said multiple times about Garrett, citing the defensive end’s individual greatness despite the team’s inability to escape mediocrity.
.@Flash_Garrett will "have a direct ticket from Cleveland to Canton" pic.twitter.com/jl2N36QdEJ
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 6, 2025
Garrett rightfully wants a chance to win a Super Bowl with his individual dominance proven, and he made it clear that he doesn’t believe that chance exists for him as part of the Browns franchise.
The bluntness of his statement certainly didn’t go over fans’ heads.
Myles Garrett clubbed Andrew Berry with a helmet in his trade request statement lol pic.twitter.com/TQ5PI1pkKR
— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) February 3, 2025
Myles throwing AB's "Cleveland to Canton" quote back in his face is pretty wild. No idea how you can let this front office handle this rebuild. https://t.co/7M5ozmk2ke
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) February 3, 2025
For now, it appears the franchise will hold steady and try to mend their fractured relationship with Garrett.
"[The Browns] are sticking to their stance and do not intend to have any conversations or trade [Myles] Garrett."@MikeGarafolo with the latest on the blockbuster trade request. pic.twitter.com/n17YSzcSsc
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 3, 2025
However, this trade request opened Pandora’s Box, and it won’t simply be resolved with a few meetings.
If Garrett — who has as much star power and name recognition as any defensive player in the NFL today — truly wants out of Cleveland, it’s hard to see a path forward for the Browns that involves keeping the franchise legend in place.