Myles Garrett’s Future in Cleveland Remains Uncertain

Less than a year ago, the Cleveland Browns and star defensive end Myles Garrett were locked in a tense standoff that culminated in a massive contract extension. At the time, Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million deal, solidifying his place as one of the league’s top players. However, with the offseason approaching, questions about his future in Cleveland are once again surfacing.

The Browns finished the 2024 season with a 4-12 record, marking their second consecutive year without a playoff berth. Since 2024, the team has gone 7-26, and despite Garrett’s presence, they’ve posted a sub-.500 record in seven of the future Hall of Famer’s nine seasons. This underperformance has led to renewed speculation about whether Garrett will seek a trade this winter.

In February, Garrett made it clear that his goal was always to win a Super Bowl, not just to play for the Browns. He stated:

“The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl. With that in mind, I have requested to be traded from the Cleveland Browns.”

Despite this, Garrett and the Browns reached an agreement on a long-term contract shortly after. On the field, he has continued to shine, recording 22 sacks in 16 games—just one away from tying the single-season all-time record. He is also a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second time in his career.

However, the Browns’ struggles on the field remain a concern. Garrett emphasized his unwillingness to participate in a rebuild, stating:

“I’m committed to winning and as long as the team and the organization are doing so — they’re committed to that same thing — then I’m all on board. But if we’re thinking anything other than winning — tanking or rebuilding — it’s not me.”

Garrett’s stance mirrors that of Raiders’ Maxx Crosby, who is in a similar position. Both players have shown a commitment to winning, but it remains to be seen if either will request a trade this offseason.

The Browns’ Coaching Dilemma

While Garrett’s future is uncertain, the Browns face another pressing issue: the fate of head coach Kevin Stefanski. Under Stefanski, the team made the playoffs twice, and he won Coach of the Year in both instances. However, his job status is now in question, with the possibility of a coaching change as early as next week.

Garrett acknowledged that there have been more downs than ups over the past six years under Stefanski, noting the coach’s 44-56 record. Despite this, Garrett did not explicitly call for Stefanski’s ouster, saying:

“I don’t know what the future holds, whether it’s with him or anything else. I’m going to look forward to playing under whoever it is. Be happy to be here and being a Brown regardless.”

Offense Needs Major Overhaul

To keep Garrett content, the Browns must make significant improvements on offense. Currently, the team ranks 31st in the NFL in scoring, despite having one of the league’s top defenses. Reuniting with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco last offseason was seen as a positive move by Garrett, but the decision to trade Flacco to the Bengals after a 1-4 start raised concerns.

Garrett commented on the trade, saying:

“If we’re going to trade Joe away, then we’ve got to find a way to win games regardless of who’s back there and haven’t done it enough. I see a couple rookies that continue to grow, but it was interesting. But we’re here now.”

The Browns have struggled to find stability at quarterback, with third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel, fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders, and veteran Deshaun Watson all vying for the starting role. While Sanders has performed better than Gabriel, he is far from a guaranteed starter in 2026. Watson, meanwhile, will miss the entire 2025 season due to a ruptured Achilles and will likely remain with the team for another year due to his costly contract.

The Road Ahead

With two first-round picks in the 2025 draft, including a potential top-five selection, the Browns may find a franchise quarterback in April. How the team handles the quarterback position will be critical, as Garrett is expected to want clarity on the future at the position.

Despite the challenges, general manager Andrew Berry is likely to remain in his role in 2026. If he fails to convince Garrett that the team is headed in the right direction, the seven-time Pro Bowler could become a key figure in trade rumors once again.

As the Browns continue to navigate their path forward, the decisions made this offseason will have a major impact on the team’s trajectory—and on Myles Garrett’s future in Cleveland.