It was just one year ago that Cleveland Browns star pass-rusher Myles Garrett threw a metaphorical grenade into the team offices in Barea by doing a Super Bowl tour of radio shows and podcasts confirming and amplifying his desire to be traded to a winner. Of course, the Browns later persuaded him to change his mind, aided by a record-breaking $160 million contract over four years.
Part of Garrett’s frustration back then was the way the Browns had been chasing their tails for most of his career–or worse, going backward. Garrett was the No. 1 pick in 2017, and the team went 0-16 in his first season, then had four coaches in his first four years. They returned to respectability under Kevin Stefanski, making the playoffs twice, but dropped to eight wins in the last two years and dumped him early last month.
And so Garrett is stuck at just three career playoff games, and watched this offseason as the Browns mishandled the situation with well-liked defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who wants out after losing out on the head-coaching gig to Todd Monken.
Myles Garrett Calls Browns ‘A Great Organization’
There has been speculation that perhaps Garrett would rekindle his desire to be elsewhere this offseason, or in the near future, because of his frustration with the Browns’ futility and the possibility that Schwartz will bolt elsewhere.
But on Thursday, Garrett was named the NFL’s AP Defensive Player of the Year in a unanimous vote, and in his acceptance speech gave some flowers to the Browns as a whole–his teammates, his coaches and, yes, the entire organization.
“This doesn’t just start with me,” Garrett said. “It starts with great teammates, great organization, great coaches for being able to put us in position. I’m thankful for every single one of my teammates that helped get me up here. It’s not possible without them, their blood, their sweat, their tears, everything that we went through, I’m appreciative of that fellas.
Garrett also thanked his personal “team” as well as his parents on Thursday.
“Y’all have taken care of me, y’all have supported me, y’all have kept me up when I have been down,” Garrett said. “Y’all have been timeless with all the effort y’all put in. Just like a great watch, a great team is timeless. I’m very appreciative of y’all. And my parents, AG, LG, I couldn’t do it without you all. Y’all the very best in the world.”
Jim Schwartz Issue Still Lingers
Certainly, it does not sound as though Garrett is preparing to whack the Browns with another trade demand. Of course, on stage at the NFL award gala would not be the place to do it. And again, the Schwartz saga is not over yet.
If Schwartz leaves, expect the Garrett speculation to pick back up. Garrett set the NFL sack record in 2025 with 23.0, and there’s no question that–as great as he was since the Browns landed him out of Texas A&M, he has gotten even better the last three years under Schwartz.
It’s not just sacks, but it is the way he has become the best pass-rushing edge against the run, too, and set career highs in solo tackles and tackles for a loss in the last two years. Schwartz’s defense and his development of Garrett’s teammates have contributed to that.
But for now, Garrett’s latest comment on the Browns–“a great organization”–is what stands out.
Myles Garrett Sends Browns Clear Message After Winning DPOY