Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett is once again at the center of offseason chatter as questions regarding his long-term tenure in Northeast Ohio begin to surface.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has been noticeably absent from voluntary team activities, sparking a wave of discussion among fans and league insiders alike. While general manager Andrew Berry has publicly maintained that Garrett remains a foundational piece of the franchise, recent adjustments to his contract structure have led some to wonder if the team is quietly preparing for a potential transition.
With the 2026 NFL Draft just days away, the Browns find themselves at a crossroads between keeping their most dominant defensive force and exploring a future that might not include number 95. Here’s what happened as we take a closer look.
Is a trade actually on the horizon for Garrett?
The Browns recently modified the language in Myles Garrett’s contract, a move that provides the front office with significantly more flexibility regarding his roster status.
While general manager Andrew Berry stated the adjustment was unrelated to a trade, the new terms push option bonus deadlines to just seven days before the regular season. This specific shift makes a post-June 1 trade much more manageable for the team’s salary cap, fueling theories that a move could be considered if the right offer surfaces. Despite the rumors, Berry has remained firm in his public stance, referring to Garrett as a career Brown and one of the faces of the organization.
The star pass rusher’s absence from voluntary workouts has only added to the local intrigue, especially after he was spotted attending a Cleveland Cavaliers playoff game over the weekend. Garrett has often preferred to train independently during the early stages of the offseason, a routine that has historically yielded elite results on the field.
However, in a professional landscape where culture and attendance are often scrutinized, his decision to stay away during a period of roster turnover has raised eyebrows. The Browns are coming off a difficult 3-14 season in 2024, a year that saw Garrett briefly request a trade before ultimately signing a massive four-year extension.
Little-known fact: Myles Garrett is the only active NFL player to have won the Defensive Player of the Year award twice, securing the honor in both 2023 and 2025.
How will the 2026 NFL Draft impact his status?
Cleveland holds two first-round picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, and their selections at No. 6 and No. 24 could serve as a direct indicator of Garrett’s future.
NFL insiders have suggested that if the Browns target high-end edge rushers like David Bailey or Rueben Bain Jr. with their early picks, it could signal an imminent move for the veteran. Adding a premier pass rusher would provide the team with a cost-controlled replacement, allowing them to potentially acquire a haul of future assets in a blockbuster trade.
Andrew Berry has not shied away from aggressive roster building, and using top-ten capital on a defensive end would be a loud statement regarding the team’s direction.
The Browns’ defense still revolves around Garrett, but it also includes the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Carson Schwesinger, and new veteran linebacker Quincy Williams.
If the front office believes the window for contention with the current core has narrowed, they may view this offseason as the optimal time to maximize Garrett’s trade value. For now, the team continues to build around a roster that includes quarterbacks Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel.
Little-known fact: During the 2024 season, Garrett became the fourth-fastest player in NFL history to reach 100 career sacks, achieving the milestone in just his 115th game.
Can the Browns and Garrett find common ground?
The relationship between the star defensive end and the front office has seen its share of ups and downs, particularly following the frustrations of the 2024 season.
Garrett has been vocal about his desire to play for a contender, stating in late 2024 that he did not want to be part of a multi-year rebuild. The team’s recent free agency moves, including the signings of offensive linemen Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins, suggest a commitment to winning immediately rather than stripping the roster down. By fortifying the trenches on both sides of the ball, Cleveland is attempting to show their franchise player that the postseason is within reach.
However, the silence from Garrett’s camp this spring has left a void that speculative reports have been quick to fill. Speculation has continued outside the building, Browns leadership has publicly insisted that Garrett remains central to the franchise.
As the league prepares for the draft on April 23, the focus remains on whether the Browns will solidify their commitment to Garrett or begin the process of moving on. Fans in Cleveland are used to offseason drama, but losing a player of Garrett’s caliber would represent a massive shift in the franchise’s identity.
Little-known fact: Garrett holds the NFL single-season sack record after a dominant 2025 campaign where he brought down opposing quarterbacks 23 times.
TL;DR
- Myles Garrett’s absence from voluntary team activities has sparked fresh trade rumors and questions about his future.
- Recent contract restructures by the Browns’ front office have created more salary cap flexibility for a potential post-June 1 move.
- Cleveland’s use of two first-round picks (No. 6 and No. 24) in the 2026 NFL Draft will be a major indicator of their plans at defensive end.
- General Manager Andrew Berry continues to call Garrett a career Brown, but hasn’t fully quieted the outside speculation.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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