Myles Garrett

Myles Garrett Does Not Expect To Be Traded; Browns Receiving Calls On Za’Darius Smith

October 25th, 2024 at 3:24pm CST by Adam La Rose

Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett have been floated as potential trade chips ahead of this year’s deadline, and in either case a deal being worked out would amount to a blockbuster. The latter made it clear on Friday he does not see himself being moved, however.

“I’ll be playing here,” Garrett declared when asked about his future with the Browns beyond the November 5 deadline (via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com). With the team sitting a 1-6 on the year, a seller’s standpoint – beyond the decision to trade away wideout Amari Cooper – would come as no surprise. Teams have called about Garrett’s availability, but no consideration is being given to a move sending him (or three-time Pro Bowl corner Denzel Ward, for that matter) elsewhere.

Garrett, 28, has been banged up this season but he has managed to play every game to date. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has posted at least 10 sacks every year since 2018, and is currently tied for the team lead this campaign with four. With term left on his contract (one which could very well be extended with the arrival of a raise and new guarantees this offseason), it would be challenging for any contending team to swing a deal.

“I hope not,” Garrett added when asked about hypothetically playing for another team at some point. “I’ve always said I want to play here to the end of my career. I want to win here. I want to bring a championship here, so that doesn’t cross my mind… No one should be worried about the situation with Amari and how that affects them. We’re still here.”

While a trade involving Garrett would be highly surprising, fellow edge rusher Za’Darius Smith could be on the move soon. The 32-year-old is not a pending free agent, but without any guaranteed salary due in 2025 he could be considered a rental by an acquiring team. Smith’s recent remarks made it clear he is open to a trade, and connections have emerged linking him to the Aidan Hutchinson-less Lions. Cabot confirms the Browns are receiving calls on Smith, so a longer list of candidates to add (or perhaps reunite with) him could emerge in the coming days.

Smith shares Cleveland’s team lead in terms of sack production, and he has reached double-digits in that regard three times in his career. With the Browns since the 2023 offseason, he could be on the move relatively soon; that is very unlikely to be the case for Garrett, though.

Teams Calling Browns On Myles Garrett; Cleveland Unlikely To Move DE, CB Denzel Ward

October 22nd, 2024 at 9:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

The edge rusher market lost Haason Reddick, who is finally on track to make his Jets debut thanks to a recent contract resolution. As teams are in need at the glamour defensive position, inquiries into two of the league’s best are already underway.

Although the Raiders have said they are not trading Maxx Crosby, the standout EDGE subsequently made some comments that could pry that door open. Crosby is tied to a 2-5 team. Myles Garrett has that beat, with the Browns having gone from an 11-6 season to starting 1-6. Garrett is signed through 2026, and teams are looking into the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year.

Teams have begun asking the Browns if Garrett could be obtained in a trade, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes. Clubs certainly ask on players they do not expect to be made available, but cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reports the Browns will not trade their centerpiece defender. Rumors swirled about Garrett’s potential availability last week, as the Browns did part with Amari Cooper, but Garrett has said he wants to finish his career in Cleveland. As it stands, the All-Pro defensive end does not need to worry about relocating.

Cleveland has Garrett tied to an extension that runs through 2026. The Browns did well to lock down the ascending defender on a five-year deal shortly after exercising his fifth-year option. That meant Garrett was under team control for seven more years. We are now in Year 5, and Garrett — who at the time was coming off his suspension stemming from the ugly incident that involved him striking Mason Rudolph with a helmet — has become one of the best players in Browns history. He is in the running for best player since the team rebooted — though, Joe Thomas probably holds that distinction currently — and rumblings about a second extension figure to emerge in 2025.

Garrett’s team-friendly contract would naturally appeal to suitors, but it also would make the price of acquiring him steep. The Browns would be out more than $40MM in dead money by trading Garrett now. Most of that sum could be defrayed to 2025, but the Browns are not exactly in a situation where taking on major dead money amounts will be palatable — given their quarterback situation.

A first-round pick and change would presumably be required for the Browns to consider moving on, as this is not a typical rebuild situation. Garrett still anchors a quality defense, one that led the league against the pass last season and helped it survive a slew of offensive injuries during a playoff campaign, and the Browns have a host of strong role players. Though, their QB plan has effectively overshadowed everything else about the roster.

The Browns have made the playoffs twice under Kevin Stefanski, whose two Coach of the Year showings came after he coached Baker Mayfield and Joe Flacco to bounce-back seasons. Deshaun Watson‘s contract and woeful performance has hindered the Browns, and the fourth-year HC is not yet committing to the embattled passer for the 2025 season. Still, the Browns are tied to Watson’s fully guaranteed deal. Although Cabot notes the Browns are likely to trade more players before the deadline, Garrett and Denzel Ward are not likely to be among them.

Both Garrett and Ward, the latter a Cleveland-area native, should be considered building blocks for when the franchise picks up the pieces from the Watson disaster. Ward is signed through 2027 on what had been — before the Patrick Surtain and Jalen Ramsey deals — a top-market cornerback contract. A John Dorsey-era draftee, Ward was nevertheless a priority under current FO boss Andrew Berry, who was on the Browns’ staff under Sashi Brown when the team drafted Garrett in 2017.

It would surprise if the Browns parted with either of their top two defenders, with Breer adding recently extended linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is unlikely to be dealt. Za’Darius Smith made the unusual step of mentioning a potential Lions trade, and Detroit is believed to be interested.

The Browns will likely be OK dealing some veterans, as they formulate a post-2024 plan as this year’s team almost definitely will not return to the playoffs. Garrett and Ward are undoubtedly part of that 2025-and-beyond vision.

Browns DE Myles Garrett To Consider Offseason Foot Surgery

September 22nd, 2024 at 8:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

8:10pm: When speaking after the Browns’ Week 3 loss, Garrett said his foot issue is having a detrimental effect on his legs (h/t The Athletic’s Zac Jackson). Without time to heal, that problem could continue over at least the short term.

3:11pm: A foot issue led to some missed time for Myles Garrett in Week 2, but he did not carry a designation heading into today’s matchup. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is not expected to miss game action as a result of the ailment, but surgery could be an option down the road.

Specifically, Garrett is dealing with pain in both of his feet. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero notes the three-time All-Pro underwent a procedure as a nine-year-old to address flat feet, which may be related to the current problem (video link). In any case, pain management will be required on Garrett’s part for an extended period. After the current campaign, a procedure will be considered.

“We talk about [surgery after the season] but that’s something that we’ll talk about further down the line,” the 28-year-old said (via ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi). “The issue itself is something that I’ll probably have to deal with for however long I end up playing. So it’s about managing that and playing through it.”

The former No. 1 pick has played double-digit games every year of his career, and he will be able to do so again in 2024 if he can tolerate the pain level he is currently dealing with. Garrett added he is hopeful the issue will get better over time as the season progresses. If that does not turn out to be the case, though, it would not come as a surprise if surgery were to become a distinct possibility.

Garrett earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2018 and then each year from 2020-23. His 90.5 sacks since being drafted rank second in the NFL, underlying his importance to the Browns. Cleveland also has Za’Darius Smith and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo along the edge, but they of course play complementary roles to Garrett, the focal point of one of the league’s top defenses from 2023. Remaining strong on that side of the ball will be key to the Browns’ efforts to return to the postseason.

Garrett recorded a strip sack in each of his first two games, and he will again be counted on as one of the league’s top defensive players if he can stay on the field for the rest of the season. Whether or not he can do so with reasonable pain levels will be worth watching closely over the next few weeks in particular.

Injury Updates: Garrett, Bengals, Etienne, Dolphins

December 2nd, 2023 at 12:07pm CST by Ben Levine

Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett likely suffered some structural damage in his left shoulder, an injury that was aggravated during last weekend’s loss. As Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes, it’s uncertain if the injury will even require surgery, and Garrett is determined to continue playing this season.

“I feel terrible,” Garrett said following Sunday’s loss to the Broncos. “Everything hurts, shoulder hurts. But we’ve got to keep on going, keep on rolling till the wheels fall off. We’re having great success and enjoying how this team is really coming together, especially down the stretch. And we’re going to continue to keep on working hard to be fresh and fit whenever we get to Sunday.”

Garrett said he felt a pop in his shoulder during the game, but he also admitted that he’s been dealing with a shoulder issue for the entire season. The injury could be attributed to the AC joint sprain Garrett suffered last season, or it could be an entirely new injury, with Cabot speculating that the pass rusher may be dealing with a partial dislocation.

The former first-overall pick is on track to earn another All-Pro nod in 2022. In 11 games, Garrett has collected 13 sacks, 23 QB hits, and 12 tackles for loss.

More injury notes from around the NFL…

The Bengals got some good news on both sides of the ball ahead of Monday Night Football. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Bengals wideout Tee Higgins and linebacker Logan Wilson will play against the Jaguars. Higgins has missed the past three games while dealing with a hamstring injury, while Wilson is recovering from an ankle injury suffered last weekend. Unfortunately, it’s not all good news in Cincinnati. After suffering a sprained ankle at practice this week, Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt will not play on Monday night, per Schefter.
On the other side, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said he’s expecting running back Travis Etienne to play on Monday night, per ESPN’s Michael DiRocco. Etienne suffered a rib injury last weekend that briefly forced him to exit the game, and he’s been practicing on a limited basis throughout the week. If he is sidelined on Monday, the Jaguars would lean on D’Ernest Johnson and rookie Tank Bigsby.
De’Von Achane is expected to play for the Dolphins this weekend, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. After returning from a knee injury in time for Week 11, the running back was once again sidelined with the issue for Week 12. Meanwhile, Terron Armstead said he intends to play this weekend despite suffering a quadriceps injury on Black Friday. It was initially thought that the offensive tackle could miss multiple weeks, so this is an encouraging update for the Dolphins offense.

Browns Notes: Ward, Thompson-Robinson, Cooper, DL

November 26th, 2023 at 8:02pm CST by Ely Allen

The Browns suffered a loss in Denver today as they continued to deal with significant injuries on both sides of the ball. The team was without star cornerback Denzel Ward to start today’s game after the veteran failed to rally for a second straight week, but they’ll hope that his absence doesn’t extend too far past today.

Ward was able to tough it out last week for a divisional matchup against the Steelers after suffering a neck injury in the prior week’s win over Baltimore. Unfortunately, for Cleveland Ward’s ailments would pile up as he would sustain an unrelated shoulder injury against Pittsburgh. Despite suffering a second injury, Ward was able to finish the game last week.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, the shoulder injury could potentially keep Ward out for a couple of weeks. The team doesn’t believe that it will require a stay on injured reserve, though, and hope that he’ll be able to make a comeback as soon as next week.

Here are a few other injury updates for the ailing Browns:

The hits to Cleveland’s quarterbacks room keep coming as new rookie starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson was forced to leave today’s game with a concussion, per ESPN’s Jake Trotter. The team had not yet activated recent quarterback signee Joe Flacco, so they were required to turn to P.J. Walker as Thompson-Robinson’s backup. Thompson-Robinson may be able to clear concussion protocols in time to start next week’s contest in Los Angeles, but the Browns may need to call up Flacco in order to serve as either a new backup or potentially even a starter if Thompson-Robinson can’t play.
Leading wide receiver Amari Cooper was also forced out of today’s loss after suffering a rib injury. Luckily, the X-rays on Cooper’s ribs returned negative, according to Trotter, but bruised ribs can be a nagging injury in football. Cooper’s status on the injury report will be something to watch in the coming week.
As if all the above wasn’t enough, the Browns saw two more injuries of note today, these to their defensive line. Firstly, and perhaps most troublingly, Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner Myles Garrett was seen with his left arm in a sling after today’s contest. Garrett reportedly “felt something pop in his shoulder” today, per Cabot, necessitating the sling. According to Trotter, he told reporters that he doesn’t know how significant the injury may be but that he “will get scans in LA.” The team also saw starting defensive tackle Jordan Elliott leave today’s game with an ankle injury. The Browns will hope that Elliott’s injury is a minor one and that they will be able to catch a break from the constant string of recent maladies.

Browns Restructure Myles Garrett, Joel Bitonio, David Njoku Contracts

August 22nd, 2023 at 9:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

AUGUST 22: The Browns aren’t done carving out cap space. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Browns have restructured the contract of tight end David Njoku. The move opens up more than $2.7MM in cap space, bringing the organization close to $37MM in cap room.

AUGUST 21: The Browns have created more than $20MM in cap space in recent days, using two of their best players’ contracts to get there. Cleveland restructured Myles Garrett and Joel Bitonio‘s contracts, per cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot and ESPN.com’s Field Yates.

Cleveland’s Bitonio move created $7.9MM in cap space; the Garrett restructure opened up $12.9MM. These moves return the Browns to the top spot in NFL cap space, a place they resided throughout the 2022 season. Cleveland used cap carryover and a Deshaun Watson restructure to reach this point as well.

Garrett signed a then-record-setting $25MM-per-year extension during the 2020 offseason. Doing so tied the former No. 1 overall pick to the Browns through the 2026 season. Given Garrett’s performance level, it would not surprise to see the parties huddle up about another extension. For now, however, Garrett is attached to a deal that has been passed over by two edge rushers (T.J. Watt, Joey Bosa) and is about to be eclipsed by the 49ers’ forthcoming Nick Bosa extension.

Bitonio is on his third Browns contract, having agreed to a three-year, $48MM extension during the 2021 season. The Browns locked down both their starting guards — Bitonio and Wyatt Teller — in the same week two years ago. Bitonio, 31, is signed through the 2024 season. He has been the Browns’ longest-tenured player for a bit now. The Browns used void years to slash Bitonio’s 2023 cap hit from $14.6MM to $6.7MM, with four such years now present in the contract. It would not surprise if Garrett’s deal, which presently includes no void years, will soon have those present as well.

The Browns now have more than $35MM in cap space; no other team holds more than $23MM. It will be interesting to monitor how the team goes about its late-summer plans now that it added more than $20MM in cap room. Cleveland’s most notable adjustment came in March, when a restructure dropped Watson’s would-be record-setting figure ($54.9MM) to $19.1MM. While only one void year is present in the quarterback’s landmark deal, the contract’s 2024-26 cap hits each ballooned to $63.9MM.

Largest 2023 Cap Hits: Defense

July 12th, 2023 at 9:52am CST by Sam Robinson

While the NFL’s top 2023 cap hits go to players on offense, a number of pass rushers are tied to lofty figures as well. None check in higher than Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams.

Williams and Chiefs D-tackle Chris Jones carry high contract-year cap hits, while the Steelers’ two front-seven cornerstones each are set to go into training camp with cap figures north of $20MM. As the salary cap climbed to $224.8MM this year, here are the top defensive cap figures as camps near:

Leonard Williams, DL (Giants): $32.26MM
T.J. Watt, OLB (Steelers): $29.37MM
Myles Garrett, DE (Browns): $29.18MM
Chris Jones, DT (Chiefs): $28.29MM
Aaron Donald, DL (Rams): $26MM
Arik Armstead, DT (49ers): $23.95MM
Cameron Heyward, DL (Steelers): $22.26MM
C.J. Mosley, LB (Jets): $21.48MM
Jonathan Allen, DT (Commanders): $21.44MM
Shaquil Barrett, OLB (Buccaneers): $21.25MM
Grady Jarrett, DT (Falcons): $20.63MM
Marlon Humphrey, CB (Ravens): $19.99MM
Shaquille Leonard, LB (Colts): $19.79MM
Kevin Byard, S (Titans): $19.62MM
Adoree’ Jackson, CB (Giants): $19.08MM
Harold Landry, OLB (Titans): $18.8MM
Justin Simmons, S (Broncos): $18.15MM
Jamal Adams, S (Seahawks): $18.11MM
Matt Judon, DE (Patriots): $18.107MM
Quandre Diggs, S (Seahawks): $18.1MM
Nick Bosa, DE (49ers): $17.9MM
DeForest Buckner, DT (Colts): $17.25MM
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE (Dolphins): $17.19MM
DeMarcus Lawrence, DE (Cowboys): $17.11MM
Eddie Jackson, S (Bears): $17.1MM

The Chiefs are working toward a second extension agreement with Jones, who is in the final season of a four-year, $80MM contract. A new deal with the star inside pass rusher would free up cap space, and DeAndre Hopkins is believed to be monitoring this situation.

As for Williams, the Giants had wanted to adjust his deal to reduce his eye-opening cap number. As of mid-June, however, no extension appeared to be on the team’s radar. The previous Giants regime signed off on the 2021 Williams extension (three years, $63MM). The Giants are also uninterested — for the time being, at least — in extending Jackson, who was also a Dave Gettleman-era defensive addition.

Donald is in the second season of a three-year, $95MM deal. The Rams gave Donald a landmark raise last year, convincing the all-everything D-tackle to squash retirement talk. A no-trade clause exists in Donald’s contract, which pays out its guarantees this year. Mosley remains tied to the $17MM-per-year deal the Mike Maccagnan regime authorized with the Jets. That contract, which reset the off-ball linebacker market in 2019, still has two seasons remaining on it due to the deal tolling after Mosley’s 2020 COVID-19 opt-out call. The Jets restructured the deal last year.

Washington now has two D-tackles tied to deals of at least $18MM per year. While Daron Payne‘s pact is worth more ($22.5MM AAV), higher cap hits on that deal will come down the road. Three years remain on Allen’s 2021 agreement. At safety, no team is spending like the Seahawks. In addition to the big-ticket deals authorized for Adams and Diggs, Seattle gave ex-Giants starter Julian Love a two-year, $6MM accord in March.

New Titans GM Ran Carthon attempted to give Byard a pay cut. That request did not go over well, but the standout safety remains with the team and has not requested a trade. Tennessee re-signed Landry on a five-year, $87.5MM deal in 2022; the veteran edge rusher has yet to play on that deal due to the ACL tear he sustained just before last season.

The 49ers can bring Bosa’s number down via an extension, which has long been on the team’s docket. As San Francisco extended Deebo Samuel just after training camp began last year, Bosa received back-burner treatment due to the fifth-year option. The star defensive end’s price undoubtedly went up during the waiting period, with the former No. 2 overall pick earning Defensive Player of the Year acclaim in the fourth year of his rookie contract.

AFC North Notes: Browns, Monken, Ravens

June 9th, 2023 at 8:03pm CST by Ely Allen

With Jim Schwartz returning to Cleveland after 28 years, then as a scout, now as defensive coordinator, there are some expected changes to how the Browns‘ defense will get things done. Thanks to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, we have a bit of insight into just how things might change in the secondary under Schwartz.

At safety, the team exchanged starter John Johnson III with Juan Thornhill while also bringing in veteran Rodney McLeod, as well. Schwartz brings two interesting factors to the safety position: he likes to play three at one time often and he expects versatility. He doesn’t strictly prescribe to free and strong safety assignments but more often tends to focus on sides of the field. Grant Delpit, Thornhill, and McLeod will be interchangeable and will be asked to line up in many areas.

Versatility will be expected of the cornerbacks, as well, as Schwartz has reportedly been crosstraining all of Cleveland’s defensive backs in the slot. This is welcome news for Greg Newsome II, who reportedly wanted to play more to his strengths on the outside this year. He won’t solely work outside, but with Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson also getting work as nickelbacks this summer, Newsome won’t be asked to shoulder the load in the slot alone.

Here are a few more rumors from around the AFC North:

Schwartz is excited to be bringing together two strong pass rushers in Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith on the Browns’ defensive line, according to Cabot. After a year in which Jadeveon Clowney failed to mesh with Garrett, Schwartz is excited about the flexibility that Smith brings to the table. For one, he’s already had the experience of working across from talented pass rushers like Danielle Hunter, Preston Smith, Matt Judon, Terrell Suggs, and Elvis Dumervil. Secondly, Smith provides a versatile attack that allows him to rush from either side, as well as from the interior, when needed.
After four years under a huddle-first Greg Roman offense, the Ravens will allow quarterback Lamar Jackson a bit more agency in the offense under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. According to a report from ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, Jackson will be given more freedom to audible and make adjustments at the line this season. This is not completely foreign to the recently extended quarterback. Baltimore experimented with this type of offense in a Week 2 game last year against the Dolphins as a counter to Miami’s pressure package. In that game, Jackson threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns while adding 119 yards and a touchdown on the ground, as well. The Ravens will hope to see more of that in 2023, as Jackson is presented with more opportunities to truly lead the offense.
We mentioned about two weeks ago that Ravens second-year tackle Daniel Faalele was a candidate to replace former starting left guard Ben Powers, who departed for Denver in free agency in March. Knowing Faalele’s importance in his current role as one of the team’s primary backup tackles, we boiled it down to a battle between Ben Cleveland and John Simpson. A recent report from Hensley, though, claims that head coach John Harbaugh spoke highly of Faalele at the position and refused to rule him out as a potential starter. He praised Simpson’s performance in the position, as well, but it may be time to start considering Faalele as one of the top candidates to start next year.

Latest On Browns DE Jadeveon Clowney

January 7th, 2023 at 9:22am CST by Ben Levine

After being sent home by the Browns earlier this week, Jadeveon Clowney predictably won’t play tomorrow. According to Josina Anderson (on Twitter), Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told his players that Clowney won’t be playing against the Steelers on Sunday.

Clowney was sent home from practice on Friday, a day after he said in an interview that there was a 5 percent chance he’d be back in Cleveland next season. In that same interview with Cleveland.com, Clowney also questioned if the organization believes in his abilities, and he seemed to take a shot at the usage of fellow pass rusher Myles Garrett when he said the Browns were “trying to get somebody into the Hall of Fame when all that matters is winning.”

Garrett subtly responded to Clowney’s assertion, saying the Browns want “volunteers, not hostages.”

“If you feel like no one believes in you here, then go,” Garrett told Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. “Go where you feel like you’re wanted, you’re loved and you can be appreciated.”

Clowney’s interview with Cleveland.com was on Thursday, but despite his comments, the player was still in the building for a positional meeting on Friday, per Easterling. Defensive line coach Chris Kiffin ended up addressing the comments, at which point Clowney left the building. Kiffin wouldn’t discuss what was said during the meeting, although he opined to Easterling that Clowney “handled it the wrong way as a man.” Clowney also spoke with Stefanski before leaving the facility.

“JD is somebody who I respect,” Stefanski said (via Easterling). “He is a veteran. We have had conversations, yes, but I just don’t think it is fair in this setting [to talk about those conversations]. I understand the question — I do — but I just think it is fair to our team that we keep those conversations internal.”

The former Texans, Seahawks and Titans pass rusher is finishing out a one-year, $10MM deal with the Browns.

Browns Send DE Jadeveon Clowney Home Following Remarks About Usage, Cleveland Future

January 6th, 2023 at 10:11am CST by Sam Robinson

Jadeveon Clowney has signed one-year contracts with the Browns in each of the past two offseasons, waiting weeks into free agency to do so on each occasion. While a recent report indicated another such scenario should not be ruled out, events of the past two days certainly point Clowney out of town.

The former No. 1 overall pick told cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot there is roughly a 5% chance he returns to the Browns in 2023. These comments do not look to have gone over well with Browns brass. The team sent Clowney home Friday, Cabot reports, adding his status for Sunday’s season finale is uncertain.

“Ninety-five percent sure I won’t be back,” Clowney said, via Cabot. “But there’s still that 5%. You never know what can happen. I just feel like I need to be around somebody that believes in me and my ability. [It can’t] just be me believing in myself. I believe in myself more than anybody.”

Clowney, 29, played well opposite Myles Garrett in 2021, staying mostly healthy and registering nine sacks. This season, Clowney has been less productive. He has posted just two sacks in 12 games, totaling just four QB hits — his lowest total since a rookie season that ended after four games. While a 13-game season would represent a fairly decent participation rate for the injury-prone talent, he is displeased with how the Browns have used him. During the 12 games in which he has suited up, Clowney has played 63% of the team’s defensive snaps.

The three-time Pro Bowler said he believes the Browns, at certain points, have opted to showcase Garrett by aligning him opposite beatable tackles. Garrett, the team’s top player who is pushing for another All-Pro nod, has 15 sacks this season and is continuing on a Hall of Fame trajectory. Garrett’s 15 sacks lead the team by a staggering margin; no other Browns performer enters Week 18 with more than three.

“You’re all trying to get somebody into the Hall of Fame when all that matters is winning,” Clowney said. “Everybody got here for a reason, and we can all make plays. I know I am. I don’t even think [Garrett] notices [the position switches]. I ain’t trying to say it’s him. I try to get along with everybody I play with. Me and him don’t have a problem. It ain’t his fault, and it’s B.S., and I don’t have time for it.”

Clowney’s status as Garrett’s sidekick has been fairly clear since he signed with Cleveland, but his comments regarding the team prioritizing Garrett stats over wins obviously have not gone over well. Clowney pointed toward DC Joe Woods‘ potential departure as a reason he could be back. Woods is on the hot seat, Cabot adds, and said Thursday he is uncertain on whether he will be asked back for a fourth season. The Browns, who have played better defensively as of late, rank 18th in points allowed and 12th in yards yielded.

The former Texans, Seahawks and Titans pass rusher is finishing out a one-year, $10MM deal; he played for $8.25MM in 2021. Clowney, who played on both the fifth-year option and franchise tag, never secured the long-term deal that once seemed certain. Injuries intervened, and he has not quite lived up to expectations despite displaying versatility during his pro career. Interest will come his way again in 2023, but his comments ahead of the Browns’ season finale could throw a wrench in a third Cleveland campaign.

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