Browns DE Myles Garrett would seek a trade if rebuilding but sees NFL playoff hopes
If I told you that the Cleveland Browns would finish the season 3-14 after going 11-6 the following season, you wouldn’t believe me. Unfortunately, they did. A season filled with optimism and hope only led to frustration and sadness as Super Bowl aspirations were traded for top NFL draft pick talk.
Getting the Browns back on track isn’t easy or simple despite all the conversation about finding a quarterback, hope in free agency or even bringing back former players.
In the first two parts
On the latest episode of “ In-Season Hard Knocks in the AFC North”, defensive end Myles Garrett gave an interesting answer regarding the team’s outlook in terms of their contention window.
Browns DE Myles Garrett on tonight’s episode of Hard Knocks: “I’ve talked to (GM Andrew Berry about) how we’re going to make the most out of the talent that is here. We’re closer than some may think we are.”
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) January 15, 2025
Cue the sensible reactions.
Doesn’t sound like a man ready to request a trade, but what do I know? https://t.co/QAiiJ5cy6r
— Colb (@___Colb___) January 15, 2025
Browns fans since 99: https://t.co/W7qaQA34DN
— 1 more (@noribsnorice1) January 15, 2025
Believe it or not, Garrett is right.
Don’t start yelling and acting irrationally. While yes, the Browns winning 3 games this year was a letdown for many reasons. However, it doesn’t mean that Cleveland should just give up and start over (like many would want them to do to push agendas but I’ll stop). As far as Super Bowl windows go, their window is temporarily closed but their playoff window is still open for now.
The Browns approach should be similar to what two teams in the NFC West did. Both the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams were able to keep their playoff-contending windows open by retooling, not rebuilding their roster.
Simply cutting players whose contracts didn’t match the value of their play by replacing them with younger talent (via draft or FA). It’s a strategy that has proven to be successful. Some will look at what Garrett said as him trying to get a new contract (he was getting a new one regardless) but I doubt it.
What Cleveland has lacked for a while is competent quarterback play for a whole season. If they had it consistently throughout the season, the results would be different. Even Joe Flacco turned into a pumpkin in the playoffs and this season with the Indianapolis Colts.
Garrett is right, the team isn’t as far off as people think.