The Cleveland Browns relationship with star edge rusher Myles Garrett has certainly appeared stressed this offseason. Garrett was a supporter of former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, whom Garrett credited for helping to elevate his game, a strong sentiment from the back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year who is coming off a season in which he set the NFL’s sack record. Schwartz, of course, was a candidate for the Browns’ head-coaching gig and vowed never to coach from the Browns again after he lost out on the job to Todd Monken.
Then, last month, the team and Garrett worked out a contract adjustment that moved some of the dates on his bonus options, moves that reportedly had the net effect of making Garrett easier to trade. The Browns insist they’re not trading Garrett. But how the information about the move was leaked to ESPN is a mystery–either the Browns leaked it to foster Garrett trade discussion, or Garrett’s side leaked it for the same reason.
And while fans have been assured there was no need for concern over the fact that Garrett did not appear at the opening of Monken’s offseason program–Garrett, like many veterans, does not typically do voluntary offseason stuff–it wasn’t a great first step for the Garrett-Monken relationship.
Will Anderson Contract and Myles Garrett
Now comes news from elsewhere in the NFL that could throw another monkey wrench into the Garrett-Browns works. Pass-rusher Will Anderson of the Texans signed on Friday a three-year, $150 million contract with Houston, a deal that pushed him well ahead of the $40 million per year that Garrett makes, a deal that was a record at the time.
Remember, that contract came about after Garrett had complained about the Browns’ record and declared he wanted to be traded. With the machinations that have been unfolding this offseason, it is fair to wonder whether history is repeating–maybe Garrett is angling for an upward adjustment to his contract.
Browns May Have to Up the Ante
Count ESPN’s Rich Eisen in that group. Speaking on his eponymous show on Friday, Eisen connected the Anderson contract to the recent shadow boxing between Garrett and the Browns.
Said Eisen: “Another person sitting somewhere, I wonder what he is thinking. His name is Myles Garrett, $40 million a year. And Will Anderson’s making $50 million. TJ Watt is making $41 million. Micah Parsons is making $46.5 million. I’m Myles Garrett, I am thinking, ‘Huh? Huh. Really?'”
Myles Garrett Trade Remains a Browns Possibility
That is the nature of the NFL, though, as the spiking salary cap keeps opening up more money for top players at premium positions. Certainly, the Browns did what they could to pay Garrett when the opportunity came two offseasons ago. But still, they may need to make another move on his contract now–or make a move on trading Garrett for once and for all.
More from Eisen: “That’s what I am thinking if I am Myles Garrett. The Browns are going to have to do something. Pay him. … Or trade him. I am not stirring anything up by saying it. I don’t think I am. That guy, the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year. There wasn’t even a question who the best defensive player was. First-ballot Hall of Famer. I wonder what he is sitting there thinking.
“It could be nothing—like, sure, I’ll play for $40 million, whatever. But I can’t believe that. He is now $10 million off, $10 million off. Two wide receivers make more than him. Three pass-rushers make more than him.”
Browns Could Be Forced to Move on Myles Garrett After Record Contract