Browns star edge rusher Myles Garrett made headlines earlier this week when he publicly requested a trade out of Cleveland. The announcement wasn’t completely unfounded, as the former Defensive Player of the Year already made it clear he would be seeking clarity on the franchise’s long-term plans. While the Browns were adamant that they wouldn’t consider a trade for the All-Pro talent, Garrett ultimately decided he didn’t want to stick around for another rebuilding or transitional season.
[RELATED: Browns’ Myles Garrett Requests Trade]
In his initial statement, Garrett clearly cited a desire to win, noting that his “goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl.” The veteran reiterated that point while doing the rounds on Media Row today, including an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show. He also provided more insight into his decision to ask out of Cleveland. We’ve compiled some of the notable soundbites below, with a hat tip to Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal:
On what factors motivated him to request a trade:
“It took time and lots of conversation. Just looking at the trajectory of the team, talking to some of the higher-ups, I have a lot of respect for them but I just don’t think we’re aligned on where the team is going in the near future.”
On the timing of his decision to go public with a trade request:
“I just felt it was time. I had taken my time after the season, kind of relaxed and decompressed emotionally, wanted to distance myself a little bit and spent a little time talking to my family about how we feel about this decision.”
On consulting with former Cleveland star LeBron James about moving on from the city:
“You know just, what a transition looked like for him. What was his thought process going into it before he left Cleveland. Making sure I made a logical decision [and took] my time. Trying to take away the pressure of doing somewhat like that. Northeast Ohio has been his home, and it feels like my home, as well.
On where he’s hoping to play next:
“I just want to go to a contender. … I would love [to have a say in his destination]. I know in my position, I don’t have much say in where I go. But hopefully we can leave off on good terms and we can find a middle ground between us.”
On his fit with the Commanders (via a separate conversation with Sports Illustrated):
“I think they need a pass rusher. I think that’s something that they dearly missed during the playoffs…and I feel like I can fill that a role. But that’s a role that multiple teams need.”
Pretty much anywhere is a contender compared to the Browns
He probably will sign with the Dodgers.
This isn’t getting near enough the reactions it deserves. Hilarious.
10 mil signing bonus. 10m salary. And 50m deferred.
Calls Deshaun a model citizen, talks with Lebron… Myles were you at some parties we don’t know about?
Talking with LeBron means what to you now?
Ain’t no party like a Diddy party
-LeBron James
Made wild claims against Mason Rudolph…
Damnnn forgot about that
That one is so bad just because Mason Rudolph is such a nice guy, who obviously didn’t say it
And Mike Tomlin kept him after that when he obviously didn’t say that.
True
Welcome to DC, Myles. HAIL!!!
Lakers !
Nah, Dodgers. They seem to get everyone.
Dumb Jock Fanboys love Sportsball Mashup. 100% Crackpot Theory.
The article mentions LeBron, so I don’t why you’d consider a mention of the Lakers to be so offensive.
How ironic would it be if he ended up in Houston?
For (3) No. 1’s
I thought of that too, they sign a couple dozen free agents every off-season. They already have Danielle Hunter & Will Anderson though. Hunter had 12 sacks & Anderson had 11, I doubt they’ll look for an upgrade.
Cleveland is not going to trade him for peanuts if they move him before the draft because of the $36 mill dead cap hit. However, teams are going to want to know about what kind of money he wants when his deal is up and that could reduce the demand in trading for him. Could be ugly.
What does leBron have to do with any of this?
He has already ruined the NBA. Might as well go after the NFL too.
He ruined the NBA yet the team that is going to get them out of the current ratings nightmare is him and his new teammate
The NBA has ruined the NBA….. and the dumbass alien look alike Silver does a really good job contributing to the downfall every time he opens his mouth.
Ruined the NBA?
Yeah, how exactly did he ruin the NBA?
flopping, super teams, the decision, his son, crying on social media, getting fans kicked out, etc…. total lack of self awareness
If those things ruined the NBA for you it sounds like you like disliking LeBron more than you like basketball.
It’s a pretty hard sell to say that LeBron HASN’T been the most powerful figure in a players’ league for the last fifteen years or so. Silver is the commissioner, but the players shape the league and LeBron is the most powerful player. In what other league can a player write a letter to the league office to complain about not receiving foul calls DURING a playoff run-and then more than double his free throws after (the 2020 Finals series against the Nuggets is what I’m referring to here, in case you want to Google it; Frank Vogel also talked about with the LA Times).
There are plenty of reasons to say that LeBron has contributed heavily to the current shape of basketball in the NBA, and fans certainly have the right to dislike it and dislike him for doing so. Slighting them for disliking LeBron when he’s been at the forefront of so many changes-and when he spends so much time making his presence felt outside of the game-is telling them that they need to accept what he wants just because he’s good at basketball. It’s not like he’s just an innocent bystander who just plays ball. He changes things to his he likes them, and a lot of people disagree with that, and totally fair.
He’s been the best player in the league and ushered in a golden age of basketball growth and popularity. I’m not saying people can’t dislike him. I’m saying a claim that he’s “ruined” the NBA is silly.
Golden age? That’s a bit…extreme, don’t you think?
TV mega deals are great for the league’s and players’ wallets, but the quality of play has dropped significantly. You could argue that that’s subjective, but there are plenty of voices saying that and not very many saying otherwise. I don’t want to turn this into an NBA debate, so I’ll leave my contribution at that for that discussion. I do, however, think it’s quite fair to be cynical at LeBron’s being consulted on a football matter, as if his perspective is really that useful in Garrett’s case. Maybe Myles would get more out of talking to Baker Mayfield, instead.
We can avoid an NBA discussion (and my feelings about the NBA have a lot to do with growing up a diehard Ewing Knicks fan and being drummed away from that by Dolan’s idiocy), but respectfully, I think Garrett talking to James makes all the sense in the world. They’re both guys who were drafted number one overall to Cleveland, played at the height of the game there for years becoming wealthy stars, and needed to get out to have a better shot at a championship. It makes sense for someone to talk to someone who understands their experience. Obviously James has reached various heights Garrett hasn’t, but it makes obvious sense for Garrett to talk to James.
Half of what you’ve written here goes beyond petty and sounds like you have a personal issue
Where “flopping” and “super teams” are concerned, welcome to today’s NBA. I’ve been a fan since the late 60’s, and yeah, those are league-wide concerns
I’ll grant you that The Decision was ridiculous
As for the lack of self awareness, I’d point to all he has done for students at his school in the Akron area, and their futures in college
All pro athletes should have such a lack of self awareness
incorrect. the tax payers now pay for his “school” You can Google all the times Lebron has lied about something weird.
I remember reading a great deal of misinfo when some fans of a political “leader” decided to degrade James because he had the audacity to speak his mind
I remember most of the misinformation coming from that “leader’s” cult, which was and is typical, but at the end of the day was debunked in favor of just where public and private funding were involved.
Sorry, Kevin, I’m not going to engage you any further. You’re free to like or dislike as you see fit.
Me? I think guys like LeBron, Steph, and others are good guys not because of the things they say but instead, the things they do
Have a wonderful afternoon
Ah, his school, the one where there are a few students performing at a suitable level.
“Not a single 8th grade student at left-wing activist and basketball legend LeBron James’ I Promise School in Ohio has passed the state’s math proficiency exam since 2019, according to a review by the local Akron Beacon Journal.
“Seeing himself in the faces of Akron’s youth, he’s dedicated his time and resources to eliminating many of the barriers most inner-city students and families face. He’s rolled all of his philanthropic efforts into the I Promise School, which he considers one of the greatest achievements of his lifetime,” says the school’s website.
The I Promise School was founded by James as a part of the Akron, Ohio public school system.
The elementary school was intended to help students who had preformed poorly in other schools.
In an attempt to help improve the students’ performance, it has smaller classes and more teachers than typical public schools in the area, and employs the “I Promise Method,” which consists of longer school days, emphasis on STEM curriculum, and a “we are family philosophy.”
Funding from James, whose net worth is estimated by some sources as north of $1 billion, has not been enough to make the school succeed, as test results have shown that students continue to display disastrously poor performances.
In addition to all 8th graders failing math tests for years, only 11 percent of 8th grade students were able to pass Ohio’s English exams.”
And yet, he’s put almost 200 kids into college with the promise of paying their tuitions
Amazing, the amount of hate he gets. Gee, I wonder why. I’m sure if he was a member of “the cult of the intellectually constipated,” he’d be fine
By the way, when you cut and paste like this, you should credit your source(s)
Otherwise, it’s plagiarism
I wanted to apologize to both Kevin and Hammer regarding the I Promise school. While I continue to believe James is a good man, the school—a public school in the Akron system—has had a great deal of problems with student achievement and naturally should be under scrutiny as it conducts instruction with taxpayer dollars
As a retired inner city teacher and coach, I understand the challenges teachers face, from the socio-economical backgrounds of the students to myriad other factors. While I salute James for opening the school and pledging to ensure graduates get a college education on him, it takes a great deal to make such a school succeed where student achievement is concerned. A big name acting as a sponsor won’t lead to better reading and math proficiency.
Thank you, well stated.
What the #$% does this have to do with the subject at hand?
Jerry U old stupid crusty fck!!!!
Go get Miles Garrett to play with Parsons…
And I will love u again❤️❤️
Why would he want to go to another team that doesn’t have a QB??? HAIL!!!
Naw, he wants to play for a winning team.
Why aren’t the Packers mentioned for him?
Because they’re not getting him
The packers won’t over pay for him
I hope Cleveland would do him right and allow Myles to have some say into his next franchise. But, they are the Clowns; who knows what they’ll do, send him to the Jets?
Myles Garrett opposite Aiden Hutchinson? Please Brad Holmes make this happen!
Just another Sportsball Diva whose purpose in life is “I Wanna Win A Ring!”
He’s a diva for wanting to win and get off of the incompetent Browns? Glad to know you’re the type who would stick with a dead end terribly managed job out of loyalty instead of trying to find something better.
I’m so happy that he consulted with LeBron. Everyone who moves needs to do that, I don’t know how my 4 relocations actually worked because I didn’t! Look how well he handled The Decision.
Raiders!! 2nd this, 2026 1st & 3rd, 2027 2nd.
Max and Myles and you take your QB this year, WOW!
He wants to go to a contender.
Yeah, but there’s many fantasy football ballers here that think they know better.