Browns make Myles Garrett stance clear ahead of NFL trade deadline
Myles Garrett requested a trade at the end of the 2024 season before agreeing to stay with the team, but their struggles and questionable future outlook has seen his name again come up in trade rumors
The Cleveland Browns have made NFL teams aware that they will not deal Myles Garrett under any circumstances, with the trade deadline looming.
The NFL trade deadline will be on Tuesday at 4pm (ET), with a number of moves expected. A total of 18 deals were made on the final day last season - including Davante Adams to the New York Jets and DeAndre Hopkins joining the Kansas City Chiefs.
Garrett had requested a trade prior to the offseason getting underway this year, before eventually u-turning and signing a huge extension to stay with the team. He signed a four-year, $160 million deal to make him the highest-paid defensive player in the league, seemingly closing the door on him being dealt.
But the Browns' struggles this season - having a 2-6 record and already looking out of playoff contention - has seen Garrett's name come up as a trade candidate once again.
One of the best pass-rushers in the league, Garrett could bring in at least two first round draft picks if the Browns agreed to move him - something that could hugely help their rebuild.
However, Dianna Russini of The Athletic has reported that the Browns will not trade him - despite having calls from a number of teams.
A source told Russini: "He’s a Brown and will remain a Brown."
Garrett is under contract through the 2030 season with the Browns, with Cleveland needing to eat a huge amount of dead salary cap if they were to trade him.
The Browns would incur a total of $59 million in dead cap space over the next five years, including $19 million in this year.
The likes of the New England Patriots, Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks all have more than enough cap space to make a deal work - all needing a pass-rusher to add to their roster.
But for now, Garrett looks to be staying with the Browns after signing his deal. Garrett may already be having regrets about re-signing with the team, while admitting his frustrations after their latest loss to the New England Patriots. The pass-rusher was brought out of the game with the team down three scores, signalling that they had waved the white flag.
"I'm frustrated. I want to win," Garrett told reporters Monday when asked about the loss. "I don't care how much time is on the clock. They got their starters in. There's a chance we can win. I want to be a part of that.
"I don't care how dire the situation looks. I'm going to try to make something happen. So I hate coming out in those situations. I hate that kind of inevitability and not being able to do anything about it. Because I want to win and I'll do anything."
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