Cleveland Browns defensive end Miles Garrett spoke publicly for the first time on Wednesday since announcing the trade request on Monday. Telling “Rich Eisen Show” That he and the organization are not in line with the future of the team.
“That’s not a decision I’d downplay,” Garrett said on the radio queue in New Orleans. “It took time and a lot of conversation. Just looking at the trajectory of the team and talking to some of the top people, I have a lot of respect for them, but where do we go? I don’t think they’re working together. The team is moving forward in the near future.”
Garrett, the NFL governing defensive player of the year, issued a statement Monday Announce his desire to be traded From the Browns, who drafted him with the No. 1 pick in 2017.
Garrett, who only made the playoffs twice in eight years, commented during the season that he wanted to know the team’s offseason plans before committing further to the organization. The 29-year-old remains two years behind the $125 million extension of the five-year, five-year, five-year, signed in 2020, but his salary is not guaranteed.
The Browns’ 3-14 finish was the worst since Garrett’s rookie year was 0-16 in 2017. Cleveland holds his second pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“It felt like it was just time,” Garrett said. “I spent time after the season relaxing and emotionally decompression. I spent a bit of time talking to my family about how we felt about this decision. ”
Garrett said he also consulted Lakers Star, who had left the Cleveland Cavaliers twice, and Akron native LeBron James.
Garrett, a six-time pro bowler and four-time all-pro, reiterated his desire to go to the candidate, but admitted, “I don’t have much to say where I’m going.” Garrett’s contract does not include any no-trade clauses.
Two times in the past month, Browns general manager Andrew Berry told reporters he had no intention of trading Garrett. And in the aftermath of Garrett’s trade demands, several team sources told ESPN that nothing has changed within the organization.
“It wasn’t about the Hall of Fame for me,” Garrett said. “It’s not about money or records. You remember winning.”
