Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is facing backlash for refusing to communicate with the team’s star player, Myles Garrett, after the pass rusher reportedly requested a trade. Garrett had sought a meeting with Haslam to discuss his frustrations, but the Browns owner has refused.
Haslam’s handling of the situation has sparked widespread criticism online, with several analysts weighing in. One even went as far as to call the organization “a prison sentence” before using the hashtag “#FreeMylesGarrett.”
Outrage as Jimmy Haslam Refuses to Meet Myles Garrett
News of Haslam’s refusal to meet with Garrett has drawn strong reactions from NFL analysts, both in Cleveland and beyond. James Palmer, senior NFL editor at Underdog Fantasy, pointed out the contradiction between Haslam’s words and his actions.
“Instead of meeting with him, and perhaps attempting to change his mind or start a more amicable dialogue, you refuse? While at the same time proclaiming he’s very important to your future and how much you value him.”
So let me get this straight. Your best player is upset and doesn’t want to play for you anymore. He’d like to talk to you about his frustration. Instead of meeting with him, and perhaps attempting to change his mind or start a more amicable dialogue, you refuse? While at the same… https://t.co/4A3p9Pcxxx
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 7, 2025
Palmer’s thoughts were echoed by Super Bowl 46 champion Chris Canty, who criticized Haslam for shutting Garrett out of the conversation.
“Putting up this roadblock, where Myles [Garrett] can’t talk to the highest level of leadership within the franchise, where he’s already in a position where he doesn’t trust the team, is the bad way to go about it.”
Cleveland ‘A Prison Sentence,’ Claims NFL Network Reporter
The criticism of Haslam didn’t stop there. NFL Network’s LaQuan Jones took it even further, describing the Browns organization as “a prison sentence.”
Responding to Palmer’s post, Jones gave a scathing take on the team’s reputation.
“We all know Cleveland is a prison sentence… nobody goes or stays there for happiness. #FreeMylesGarrett”
We all know Cleveland is a prison sentence… nobody goes or stays there for happiness 🫠 #FreeMylesGarrett
— LaQuan Jones (@RealDealFantasy) March 7, 2025
Perhaps the most impassioned criticism of Haslam came from 850 ESPN Cleveland host Chris Oldach. Speaking on air about the controversy, Oldach questioned the owner’s approach.
“If the end goal really is to keep Myles here, what do you think actually helps that? If that is the end goal, which the Browns have said, from [Browns GM] Andrew Berry and [head coach] Kevin Stefanski, ‘the goal is we’re not trading Myles, he’s a big part of the team,’ does not taking a meeting help that?”
Oldach continued:
“Or sitting down with him 10, 15 minutes, or however long that meeting ends up going, doesn’t that actually aid the end goal more? I’m confused!”
.@TheOGPAW is LIVID that Jimmy Haslam would not meet with Myles Garrett about his trade request…
Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/GEtPmTGbUw
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) March 7, 2025
Oldach’s frustration is understandable. The Browns have put themselves in this position by failing to build a consistently competitive roster. If Garrett’s issue is with the direction of the franchise and its leadership, Haslam’s refusal to meet with him does little to improve the situation.