On Saturday, the Cleveland Browns suffered their sixth straight loss to end the 2024 NFL season with a 3-14 record. Even after the fourth-worst season in franchise history, corner Denzel Ward doesn’t want to imagine playing without defensive end Myles Garrett and breaking up a star-studded defense.
As the Browns enter the offseason, Garrett’s urgency has become a pressing storyline for Cleveland. He made it clear that if the team is rebuilding, he won’t want to be a part of it. Still, Ward made an iconic comparison to express his desire to play with Garret next season.
Denzel Ward Calls Him and Myles Garrett NFL’s Shaq and Kobe
After a 35-10 loss against the Ravens in Week 18, the Browns corner addressed speculation about Garrett’s future.
“That’s not something I want to imagine,” Ward said. “Me and Myles, we go hand in hand. He’s putting that pressure on the quarterback and I’m trying to cover guys as long as I can to help him get a sack. I feel like we’re a dominant tandem and I enjoy it. I want to keep it going.”
The four-time Pro Bowl cornerback had a dynamic duo in mind when describing their collective impact on Cleveland’s defense.
“I look at me and Myles like Shaq [O’Neal] and Kobe [Bryant],” he said. “I really appreciate and love Myles and his game and I love playing with him. Just because Shaq’s the bigger guy, I’m going to give him Shaq. I’ll be Kobe to his Shaq, but I say I just feel like we’re a great tandem and just love being on the field with him.”
Ward added that he would stay in touch with Myles to find out what the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is up to. Perhaps it’s worth noting that O’Neal played on six teams throughout his legendary NBA career. Eventually, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers pair split up.
“He’s a dominant force for this team and one of the leaders for this football team and so definitely going to be in communication with him and just seeing where his head is at and the plans there,” Ward confirmed.
Garrett is contractually bound to the Browns until 2026, but the edge rusher has clarified that he doesn’t want to stay if Cleveland chooses to rebuild. He wants a clear plan about his future and how Cleveland plans on contending next season. Garrett hinted about exit meetings with head coach Kevin Stefanski, general manager Andrew Berry, and the front office.
Ward also commented on Garrett’s proximity to a trade request and assured him that the franchise was on the same page in hoping to compete.
“I believe we can contend. We contended last season, so, I mean, it’s out there. So we’re capable. We’ve got the ability to do it. We’ve just got to all be here and all put it together,” Ward said.
Obviously, a Garrett trade would put a dent in those plans, likely signaling a full rebuild.
“I definitely believe me and Myles are key pieces, but we can’t do it alone. This is a team sport and everybody has to do their 1/11th and we just have to continue to bring in guys with the guys we have and mold each other to be better and help each other out so we can be great out there,” Ward continued.
In his rookie season, Garrett saw the Browns go 0-16. However, Cleveland made the playoffs in 2023, raising expectations ahead of a disastrous 2024. Garrett considers the 2024 season to be among the most disappointing. Individually, the Browns superstar made it to the Pro Bowl for the sixth time.
He also became the first player to have at least 14 sacks in four consecutive years and helped Cleveland enter Week 18 with the sixth-ranked defense by Pro Football Network’s Defense+ ranking. That will take a hit after the season-ending loss, but it’s clear this team’s struggles lie on the other side of the ball.
[the_ad id=”310498″Kevin Stefanski on Myles Garrett Situation
Stefanski spoke to the media following a sad end to their disheartening regular season. He believes his side can contend next season.
“I do. I do. I know the core guys we have on this team. I know the coaches we have on this team. Obviously, there’s change every season. We all understand that that’s the NFL, but I feel very confident in the group,” Stefanski said.
The Browns will undergo heavy turnover in hopes of sparking more inspiring results in 2025. Having already fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and restructured Deshaun Watson’s contract to alleviate the short-term cap constraints, there’s a path back to competent football.
One of the league’s best defensive pairings will have a lot to do with whatever resurgence Cleveland can muster. If not, it remains possible that a franchise legend will leave town.