One of the NFL’s defining offseason storylines looks to have taken shape today. Myles Garrett has requested a trade, and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports the team has known about the reigning Defensive Player of the Year’s aim for a while.

As could be expected, the Browns are not in a rush to accommodate the impact defender. Browns GM Andrew Berry has said multiple times this offseason Garrett would not be dealt, with his most recent offering insisting no trade would occur even if two first-round picks were proposed. The team is not budging in light of this request becoming public, but Garrett may be dug in as well.

Trade requests are a common play amid contract talks, but this appears to be a true desire on Garrett’s part to leave town. Garrett wants to be dealt to a team in better position to contend for a Super Bowl, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who adds that this is not a contract play. It could also naturally be assumed the Browns would have time to show Garrett they are serious about a route back to immediate contention, Fowler adds that the eight-year veteran would not change his mind and wants to move on.

Garrett debuted for a Browns team that went 0-16, doing so after a 1-15 season moved the team into position to draft the Texas A&M standout. Although the Browns snapped a 17-season playoff drought when Kevin Stefanski earned the first of his Coach of the Year honors by overseeing a Baker Mayfield rebound in 2020, the team’s attempt to go bigger has backfired in historic fashion. Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson acquisition, when the fully guaranteed contract is factored in, may be the worst trade in NFL history. No veteran QB had cost three first-round picks since 1976, and Watson never came close to justifying it. It has dragged down Berry’s attempts to fortify the roster around a two-time Coach of the Year.

With Watson now in play to miss all of 2025 due to a second Achilles tear, it is fairly clear the Browns need a new plan. Garrett said in December he would turn to a trade request if he felt the organization’s recovery blueprint was insufficient, and he has turned his key. That said, the Browns are still somewhat protected here thanks to the DE’s contract situation and the franchise tag’s presence. The Browns could tag Garrett in 2027, and while this process should be resolved by then, the tag’s presence arms the team with more leverage. Garrett staging a true holdout would be his only countermeasure, and as the Haason Reddick situation showed this past season, it is an expensive play.

Berry said last week the Browns are open to a second Garrett extension, despite two seasons remaining on his current deal — a five-year, $125MM pact. Nick Bosa is tied to a deal worth $9MM more per year than Garrett, and star rushers T.J. Watt, Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson are in contract years. The cost of doing business will rise for the Browns as a result. They appear OK with paying Garrett once again, which makes this trade request more interesting than the usual contract-driven asks.

It should be expected Garrett, 29, will pass on attending Browns offseason activities. Minicamp holdouts have been more common in recent years, as the fine for skipping the June workouts is roughly $100K. Training camp would be the battleground for Garrett, unless the Browns switch up and make a deal to recoup significant draft capital before this year’s draft.

The Browns hold the No. 2 overall pick, and a Garrett trade would arm them further to crawl out of the 3-14 mess the Watson decision largely created. As of now, Berry and Co. are prepared to wait out their top player.

Myles Garrett hinted a trade request could be on the table if he does not receive the kind of answers he likes regarding the Browns’ long-term plan. The Browns continue to speak out against any deal involving the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year.

Andrew Berry said earlier this month he expected Garrett to retire as a member of the Browns. The sixth-year Cleveland GM, who held another front office post when Garrett was drafted in 2017, doubled down on that stance Tuesday. Berry said (via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot) Garrett will not be traded, not even for a package involving two first-round picks.

Although two years remain on Garrett’s contract, the likely Hall of Fame-bound talent has outplayed that deal — a five-year, $125MM accord agreed to in 2020. Berry said he is “definitely” open to an extension, Cabot adds. It sounds like the Browns are prepared to do what they have to in order to ensure Garrett sticks around. With T.J. Watt, Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson in contract years, Garrett forcing the issue now could make 2025 a transformative offseason on the edge rusher market.

“I don’t want to go into contract discussions. I wouldn’t do that publicly,” Berry said. “But I think you can assume that we do anticipate at some point doing a third contract with Myles. We want him to retire here. We feel really good about Myles obviously as a big piece of our future. We’re looking forward to him being on the field.”

Garrett’s age (29) and desire for a third contract would affect the level of offers the Browns would receive, but Berry being willing to shut down a two-first-rounder proposal — as the team needs some help after a 3-14 season — does say a lot about Cleveland’s Garrett valuation.

Garrett has become one of the best players in team history, and the former No. 1 overall pick is already the top pass rusher in team annals. His 102.5 sacks have shattered the team record — both the official and unofficial marks — and prime years remain for the perennial All-Pro to add to that total. It appears that Cleveland’s QB plan matters not when it comes to Garrett this offseason.

With the Deshaun Watson trade backfiring on a historic level, Garrett mentioned the team’s quarterback problem when asked about his future. The Browns, however, do not need to act here. They have him under contract for two more seasons and could, in an emergency situation, hold a 2027 franchise tag over their superstar rusher if need be. This limits Garrett’s leverage, though withholding services could be a play he turns to if contract talks do not pick up soon.

A Hard Knocks episode captured Garrett indicating some positive communication between he and the team had occurred since his December state-of-the-union-style comments. Regardless of where this relationship stands, the Browns could potentially smooth things over with a monster extension. Timing may be critical on that front, though, as Garrett may want to wait on Watt and Parsons to strike first. Considering the Steelers’ second Watt contract did not occur until just before Week 1 in 2021 and that the Cowboys paid Dak Prescott literally hours before their Week 1 Browns matchup this past season, Garrett might need to wait a while if he wants one of his peers to go first.

Nick Bosa is tied to a $34MM-per-year deal — $6MM north of Watt per year and $9MM above Garrett. This many accomplished edge players in contract years, and with Garrett pushing this to be a de facto contract year, could move this market toward the $40MM-AAV place. That would force decisions from teams, but the Browns do not appear to be considering a future in which their defense lines up without its top disruptor.

After a wildly disappointing season, the Browns have a significant in-house matter to address. With the Deshaun Watson restructure offering some early clarity on that lingering issue, the team still has Myles Garrett business ahead.

Garrett made pointed comments about the team’s direction last month. The All-Pro defensive end will seek answers from Browns management on how the team’s power brokers plan to climb out of this hole, one that produced a 3-14 record on the heels of a wild-card berth.

The Browns joined the Giants in being a 3-14 team that is not planning to fire its HC or GM, with Andrew Berry safe despite authorizing the Watson contract. As Berry prepares for his sixth offseason in charge in Cleveland, he does not sound like any expectation of a Garrett trade is on the horizon. Berry said (via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot) he expects Garrett to remain with the Browns and retire as a member of the team down the road.

Garrett, 29, said he would consider a trade request if he did not like the answer Browns higher-ups gave him. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year said he has not held that state-of-the-union talk with management just yet.

This demand comes as Garrett appears set to also angle for a new contract. The former No. 1 overall pick has long outplayed his deal, with a few less accomplished edge rushers having vaulted his $25MM-per-year contract — which sits fifth at the position but well behind the leader. Entering his ninth season still playing at an All-Pro level, Garrett faces a crucial offseason to capitalize on his value. Garrett has two years remaining on his deal, but T.J. Watt, Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson are all in contract years. It stands to reason Nick Bosa‘s $34MM-per-year EDGE ceiling will be raised — probably by more than one player — and it will be interesting to see who strikes first.

Asked about an extension, Garrett said, “There’ll be something coming.” Considering his comments about the state of the team, it would be a mild surprise if Garrett showed up for offseason work without a new deal in place. The Browns gave him what turned out to be a team-friendly contract in 2020, as the deal tied him to the team for seven years (due to rookie-contract control). Garrett may be trying to force two issues in the same offseason.

Even though Garrett is not technically in a contract year, inserting a potential trade into the equation represents another way to apply pressure on the Browns. It does not sound like the team is interested in letting another franchise authorize Garrett’s third contract.

DECEMBER 28: Garrett confirmed (via Cabot) one member of the Browns’ front office reached out to him to assess his thoughts on any potential trade request. With no rebuild being considered, though, Cabot adds Garrett’s comments have not drawn a significant reaction from the organization. Watson’s latest restructure could provide added financial flexibility to made a QB move this offseason, something which could further dissuade thoughts of being dealt on Garrett’s part.

DECEMBER 20: Drafted first overall after the Browns went 0-16, Myles Garrett has been through a rebuild. Overseen by three GMs, that climb produced a quality roster that has seen quarterback hiccups — one that has the team in an unprecedented bind — otherwise define the period.

In a statement that sounds a bit more like what an NBA superstar would provide, Garrett wants clarity from Browns management about the team’s plans. Making it clear he is not interested in being part of another rebuild, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year did not dismiss a trade request if he does not receive the answers he wants.

“First of all, I want to win. I want the Browns to be able to put me and us in position to win. I’m not trying to rebuild,” Garrett said, via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. “I’m trying to win right now. I want that to be apparent, when the season’s over and we have those discussions, I want them to be able to illuminate that for me, illustrate that for me, so that can be something that I can see in the near future.

“I’m going to stay loyal to a team that showed loyalty to me and faith in me by drafting me. But we have to do, at the end of the day, what’s best for us.”

This strategy has keyed numerous NBA exits, in a league in which the stars hold more power compared to the NFL. The league Garrett plays in features additional mechanisms, most notably the franchise tag, for teams to retain stars. As Deshaun Watson‘s struggles pushed that situation well past a crisis point ahead of the trade deadline, teams asked about Garrett. The Browns shot them down, viewing he and Denzel Ward as building blocks. But Garrett may be ready to force the issue soon.

“Absolutely,” Garrett said when asked (via Cabot) if the Browns need to explain a QB plan. “As uncertain as it is now from the outside looking in, it’s uncertain for us as well. So if [Dorian Thompson-Robinson] is the solution or someone else is, it’s got to be drawn out. There’s got to be a plan of action and just got to know where things are going.

Cleveland has Garrett under contract (at a below-market rate) for one more season. The team did well to sign the 2017 top pick to a five-year, $125MM deal, giving the club seven years of control. Probably the best pass rusher in Browns history, Garrett has outplayed that deal. Nick Bosa now leads the pack with a $34MM-per-year deal, and 2025 will also bring Micah Parsons and T.J. Watt contract years. Although Garrett is also in line to cash in during a Browns contract year, doing so appears contingent on the team convincing its top player it can compete despite the Watson albatross.

Trading Garrett would cost the Browns more than $36MM in dead money. This being the Andrew Berry-era Browns, four void years are on the standout’s contract. That will raise the price of a trade, one that would not bring any cap relief if completed before June 1. While the Browns could take the route of overwhelming Garrett with an extension offer, inking him to a third contract appears contingent on a better quarterback plan.

The Browns have no way out of the Watson mess. No second suspension under the personal conduct policy is coming, keeping the QB’s guarantees intact. It would cost the Browns more than $172MM to release Watson in 2025, making it a non-starter. The team plans to keep the struggling quarterback as a result. Although Browns decision-makers are not saying Watson will be benched in 2025, signs point to a search for competition — at the very least — coming soon. The contract Berry authorized in 2022 will prevent an expensive QB search, but he does plan on going through with a third restructure to reduce Watson’s 2025 cap hit (currently a record-shattering $72.9MM). This will make it harder for the Browns to dump the disappointing trade acquisition in 2026, but that appears the cost of doing business at this point.

A team that traded for Garrett would need to pay up; the Browns would undoubtedly ask for a first-round pick and change. The prospect of an acquiring team needing to then authorize a market-setting extension north of $35MM per year would complicate trade talks, as would Garrett turning 30 in 2025. But the five-time All-Pro would be ready to ask for a deal if he and the Browns are not aligned.

“I mean, it’s a possibility, but I want to be a Cleveland Brown,” Garrett said of a trade request. “I want to play here, play my career here. But if we choose to do a rebuild and it’s two, three, four years out, I want be able to compete and play at a high level, play meaningful games and be playing past January.”

Garrett did not provide any clarity whether he would ask to be moved if Berry and Kevin Stefanski are fired, which they are not expected to be, or if a to-be-determined rookie usurping Watson would change his plans. But the Browns may soon be dealing with an ultimatum, providing a significant complication as they attempt to weather the storm the Watson contract has brought.

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.