For all the movement the NFL has made toward becoming a more offensive-minded league, it has seen some true standout defensive players over the last decade. However, almost none have had as explosive a start to their careers as Myles Garrett.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft has broken every Cleveland Browns franchise record in existence and kept them in the thick of things for the better part of a decade. Yet, his time with the team may soon come to an end.
In a statement posted on social media, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year officially demanded a trade from the team. What caused a franchise icon and legend to want out?
Myles Garrett Has 1 Goal in Mind
Since entering the NFL, Garrett has been to six Pro Bowls and has already tallied 102.5 sacks in his short career. Additionally, he’s made six All-Pro teams, including four first-team selections, and led the team to two postseason appearances.
However, Garrett’s dreams in the NFL are far bigger. In his statement, he was open and honest about why he was looking for a change of scenery. Ian Rapoport shared the message with an exclusive statement from the Browns’ franchise leader in sacks.
“As a kid dreaming of the NFL, all I focused on was the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl — and that goal fuels me today more than ever. My love for the community of Northeast Ohio and the incredible fan base of the Cleveland Browns has made this one of the toughest decisions of my life. These past eight years have shaped me into the man that I am today.
“While I’ve loved calling the city my home, my desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won’t allow me to be complacent. 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.”
The move comes as a shock to fans of the franchise. The Browns have had terrible luck over the last few years, especially after the cursed trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson. Now, without their franchise centerpiece to keep them afloat, a full-scale rebuild might be underway in 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
However, one positive for the city might be the haul Garrett can generate. Still in the prime of his career, coming off of a season where he tallied 14 sacks and a career-high 40 solo tackles, a 29-year-old defensive monster is not someone teams will pass up on.
Contending teams with less-than-stellar defenses — like the Cincinnati Bengals or the Buffalo Bills — might be lining up a king’s ransom to acquire the defensive end’s services. It remains to be seen how the trade market for Garrett shakes out.
Nevertheless, his trade demand has made an already exciting offseason instantly can’t miss.