LeBron's input, Browns fans, ownership disagreements: Myles Garrett's first interview since trade request

New York Times

05-02-2025

Just days after formally announcing his trade request out of Cleveland, Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett sat down as a guest on 'The Rich Eisen Show' Wednesday to discuss his thought process and feelings behind the decision. Garrett, a four-time All-Pro and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, explained to Eisen why he felt it was necessary to move on from the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2017.
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'I felt it was time,' Garrett said.' I had taken my time after the season to relax, decompress emotionally. Wanted to distance myself a little bit. And I spent a little time talking to my family about really how we feel about this decision. I had felt this way, I wanted to make sure I was completely detached and they felt the same way I did. I feel like everyone was on the same page.
'It felt like it was time to at least speak on something that was near and dear to my heart. I have a lot of love for Cleveland, but it's always for me been about contending for championships, winning those big games and winning Lombardis. We haven't had the opportunity to do that, and that's all I'm asking for.'
The Browns superstar shook up Super Bowl week by announcing his trade request — @Flash_Garrett told us why now?
And did he really seek council from another famous Ohioan?#NFL #DawgPound @KingJames #SBLIX pic.twitter.com/W5Gr6CURpJ
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) February 5, 2025
The Browns' edge rusher is undoubtedly one of the best defensive talents currently in the league. In December, Garrett became the fastest player in NFL history to 100 sacks, becoming the first player to hit the milestone before turning 29 years old. Garrett already holds the Browns franchise records for sacks (102.5) and tackles for loss (116), also forcing 20 fumbles during his eight years in Cleveland.
Garrett mentioned that he spent time speaking to his parents, sister, his agent and marketing agent, as well as 'an Akron native' that made an equally notable move out of Cleveland — Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. James was drafted by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers and infamously announced his departure to the Miami Heat in a live television event known as 'The Decision.' He spent four seasons with the Heat before returning to Cleveland, winning them their first championship in the 2015-2016 season.
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'What a transition looked like for him,' Garrett said when asked about what he hoped to take away from his conversation with James. 'What was his thought process going into it before he left Cleveland. And just making sure I made a logical decision, taking my time. Trying to take away the pressure of something like that. Cleveland — really that area, northeast Ohio — was his home. It feels like my home as well.'
Garrett repeated a sentiment that he both shared in his letter and Browns general manager Andrew Berry used multiple times to describe the four-time All-Pro's current trajectory: 'Cleveland to Canton.' After saying he was unwilling to listen to trade offers for Garrett last Tuesday, Berry added that the franchise 'envision[s] him going from Cleveland to Canton when his career is over.' Garrett responded to that line in his letter: 'The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl.'
'It's never been about the Hall of Fame for me,' Garrett said Wednesday, doubling down on the statement while speaking with Eisen. 'It's not about money or records. You're remembered for winning. Bringing a trophy back home to your city — whichever city that is — that's how you're remembered in your community, by your peers, your teammates, by friends, all that. We want to play the game, but we want to do things to be remembered.'
While Garrett was steadfast in his preference to leave, he did recognize how hard it was to potentially say goodbye to the Browns fan base. Garrett, who saw his rookie season end in an 0-16 record and started in Cleveland's first playoff win since 1994, referred to Cleveland as a second home multiple times throughout the interview.
'It's not a decision I take lightly,' Garrett said. 'It took time and lots of conversation. But just looking at the trajectory of the team, talking to some of the higher-ups — I have a lot of respect for them, but I just don't think we're aligned on where the team is going in the near future. I feel like the window for us as athletes is only so broad, and it only continues to close as years go by with anything being able to happen on that field from day to day. I want to be able to go out there and compete at the highest levels day in and day out, playing for champions.'
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Garrett spoke further about his talks with the Browns front office, going beyond the end-of-season exit meetings to further discuss the team 'a few other times.'
'This wasn't something that I blind-sided them with, with my opinion,' Garrett said. 'I took my time before, stating it outright to them. Then I released a statement. I wanted to be able to do right by them because they've taken care of me for a long time. Cleveland has been my second home. This community is one that I love, but this opinion is just how I feel now.'
Of the next steps, Garrett said 'I just want to go to a contender.' He added that he knows he doesn't have much say in the destination but hopes to work with Cleveland in finding 'a middle ground' in negotiations while still leaving on good terms. Garrett wouldn't give much detail on any particular destinations, but he stressed the desire to win a title. Garrett also addressed the possibility that Cleveland would refuse to trade him, but added it was 'a little further down the line than I'm willing to look.'
Garrett's strongest statement was that he's not 'aligned' with the Browns' key decision-makers 'on where the team is going in the near future.' In December, Garrett had said repeatedly that he needed to talk with key team officials about the Browns' plans for becoming an AFC contender. Garrett is now saying he that he got his answer and felt his best plan was to ask for a trade.
Garrett said the timing of the trade request came this week because he wanted to 'decompress' from the season and talk with family members, and he said his inner circle echoed his belief that he was right to ask for a trade. The Browns don't want to trade and have taken the stance that they won't, so a prolonged staredown could be coming.
The Browns actually should view time as being on their side here. There's still more than a month before the start of the new league year, so no team has fully committed to 2025 plans. There's plenty of time for the Browns to try to convince Garrett to change his mind, too, though at this point that appears unlikely. Garrett's stance is that he's less interested in getting a new mega-contract from the Browns than he is on playing on a championship contender. The Browns should hold a silent auction for Garrett's services then continue to ask for more from interested parties in the coming weeks and months.
The Browns don't necessarily have to trade Garrett before April's draft and continue — for now, anyway — to dig in on their stance of not trading him at all considering he's under contract for two more seasons. The Browns already have salary-cap issues and would have to account for about $36 million in dead money if they did trade Garrett, which likely only ups an already-high asking price. But Garrett chose this week to take his request public strategically and is using his Radio Row time to let teams know he's ready for a new start. The Browns will field lots of calls, and we're all waiting to see which calls might get the Browns' interested in working on a trade. — Zac Jackson, Browns beat writer