logo
Jameis Winston speaks about Myles Garrett's trade request

Jameis Winston speaks about Myles Garrett's trade request

USA Today12-02-2025

Quarterback Jameis Winston is the latest member of the Cleveland Browns (or former member) to speak out about the recent trade request made by defensive end Myles Garrett.
In a recent episode of 'Off the Edge with Cam Jordan,' the pending free agent quarterback shared his perspective on the Browns' internal dynamics during the 2024 NFL season:
'What I saw from the [Browns] didn't seem like an organization that was deteriorating.'
This sentiment was conveyed during an off-camera conversation with Myles Garrett, who seemingly has been contemplating a trade request throughout the season. Jameis stated that Garrett's response to his observation was simple:
'Jameis, you've never been 0-16.'
But while Garrett's comment points to the scars of the past, the reality is that the Browns of 2024 were not the Browns of 2017. This is a franchise that just two years ago went 11-6, overcoming a seemingly endless wave of injuries, including to quarterback Deshaun Watson. They still found a way to reach the playoffs under head coach Kevin Stefanski.
However, in 2024, that same organization stumbled to a 3-14 record, and the reasons weren't as simple as just bad luck. It's becoming increasingly clear that the Browns' commitment to tailoring their entire offensive system around Watson at the expense of the greater team dynamic was the fatal flaw.
Winston alluded to this in his comments, implying that the Browns still have the talent and structure to be a winning organization.
As the Browns move forward in the 2025 offseason, the biggest question isn't whether they can return to their winning ways—it's whether they can keep their stars like Garrett invested in the process. If the face of the franchise is openly pondering his future, it signals a much bigger problem than just one bad season.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NFL analyst says former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett deserves the benefit of the doubt with Browns
NFL analyst says former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett deserves the benefit of the doubt with Browns

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

NFL analyst says former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett deserves the benefit of the doubt with Browns

The selection of quarterback Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft might go down as one of the worst picks of former Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. Sort of a going-away present for the Steelers in Colbert's final draft. Now, in 2025, Pickett is now on his third team in four seasons and is hoping he can get a fresh start with the Cleveland Browns and try to win the starting quarterback job. Meanwhile, most members of the Cleveland media have already requisitioned the Hall of Fame bust for rookie Shedeur Sanders and have no interest in hearing about Pickett. Advertisement But NFL Network reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala says people are being too tough on Pickett. She joined the Ken Carman Show and talked up Pickett and his journey that landed him with the Browns. The Browns currently have longtime veteran Joe Flacco as the starter with Pickett as the No. 2. Then there is a battle between rookies Dillon Gabriel and the aforementioned Sanders. Since most teams only keep three quarterbacks, training camp will help the Browns decide who is the odd man out. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: NFL analyst says former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett deserves the benefit of the doubt with Browns

Private texts from Arizona Cardinals owner, GM during Kyler Murray's contract negotiation
Private texts from Arizona Cardinals owner, GM during Kyler Murray's contract negotiation

USA Today

timean hour ago

  • USA Today

Private texts from Arizona Cardinals owner, GM during Kyler Murray's contract negotiation

Pablo Torre revealed documents from a collusion hearing last year, and Kyler Murray, Michael Bidwill and Steve Keim are involved. Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was part of a closed-door hearing held last summer that involved NFL owners, quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson, the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and more. How do we know this? Pablo Torre, a reporter who used to work for ESPN, on his podcast "Pablo Torre Finds Out," revealed he obtained 61 pages of a document the NFL did not want to go public. The hearing was about whether NFL owners were colluding to avoid giving fully guaranteed contracts. So, what is there to know about how Murray and the Cardinals are involved? Let's dive in. Kyler Murray's contract extension in 2022 It was the 2022 offseason and Murray was due a contract extension after his third NFL season. He had just taken the Cardinals to the playoffs, although they finished the season poorly and were blown out in the first-round game against the LA Rams. He ended up with a five-year extension, keeping him under contract through 2028, worth $230.5 million with $160 million in guarantees, although $103 million was fully guaranteed at signing. At the time, it was the most money given to a quarterback and the most guarantees, excluding Deshaun Watson's fully guaranteed $230 million contract with the Cleveland Browns. Now this is where the document comes in. According to it, after Watson got his deal, Murray's agent, Erik Burhardt communicated to the Cardinals that it was important to him and Murray that he get a fully guaranteed deal like Watson, believing that Murray was both "better and more deserving" than Watson of such a deal. If we recall, Burkhardt's "manifesto" in spring 2022 indicated that he had presented a contract offer to the team (reportedly with roughly a $42 million per-year average). With this new information, that was probably a fully guaranteed deal. That is why the Cardinals didn't consider it. Texts between Bidwill and Keim According to this document, Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill and then-general manager Steve Keim had texts about Murray and about Watson's contract. Bidwill texted Keim about a potential extension, noting, 'We are going to load up this contract with … so many incentives to earn the real money.' Keim responded with a shot at the Browns and Watson's deal. 'Why the Browns felt so compelled to pay Watson like that is baffling,' he texted Bidwill. So, looking at the Murray deal, Bidwill made sure millions of dollars was tied up in incentives — more than $9.3 million in workout bonuses (participating in the offseason program after he held out in 2022) and more than $4 million in per-game roster bonuses. And then, of course, there was the famous study clause that was later taken out. Bidwill's texts to other owners Bidwill was congratulated for the deal with Murray, as it was not full guaranteed. Los Angeles Chargers owner Dean Spanos texted Bidwill, "Congratulations on signing Kyler Murray." Bidwill responded, "Thanks Deno! These QB deals are getting expensive but we limited the fully guaranteed money and have some pretty good language. Thankfully, we have a QB that's worth paying.' Spanos followed up with, "Your deal helps us for our QB next year,' referring to quarterback Justin Herbert, who would get a $262.5 million contract extension in 2023. Of that, $193.7 was guaranteed and $133.7 million was fully guaranteed. Bidwill then responded, showing how the Murray deal would make other owners happy, especially after the Watson deal earlier that year. "I think many teams will be happy with it once they have a chance to review,' he responded. 'Cleveland really screwed things up, but I was resolved to keep the guaranteed money relatively 'low.'' In conclusion The collusion accusation was dismissed ultimately, but now what was said is out in the public. This whole issue of full guarantees is becoming an issue again, not for quarterbacks, but now for second-round draft picks. Of the 32 picks, 30 are unsigned, including Cardinals second-round pick Will Johnson. The two who signed already, linebacker Carson Schwesinger of the Browns and receiver Jayden Higgins of the Houston Texans, both the top two selections in the second round, got fully guaranteed contracts, the first two fully guaranteed contracts for second-rounders ever. Once again, the Browns are setting precedent. Now the rest of the teams behind the Browns and Texans have to decide where to go next. No. 3 in the second round is safety Nick Emmanwori, selected by the Seattle Seahawks. How far down the round will players get fully guaranteed deals? Will we see collusive behavior this summer like we have seen with quarterback deals? That is what will be determined in the weeks to come with training camp about a month away. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store