The summer of Myles Garrett and controversy appears to be just beginning. Following a trade request, the star defensive end inked a massive four-year, $160 million deal. Now, as organized team activities (OTAs) kick off, the eight-year veteran is nowhere to be seen.
Myles Garrett’s Absence Prompts Stir Around Cleveland Locker Room
Recent reports suggest that Garrett and two-time snowboarding Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim are dating. While presenting an award at the “Crunchyroll Anime Awards” in Tokyo, Kim was accompanied by the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year. As Garrett supports his reported girlfriend, he is absent from the beginning of voluntary OTAs.
Garrett’s leave from the beginning of workouts has left a sour taste for several fans. The fans are not the only ones disappointed, though. With Garrett receiving a batch of criticism online, one teammate may be validating the displeasure.
In a recent Instagram post expressing distaste towards Garrett’s leadership, his fellow defensive end, Ogbo Okoronkwo, was reportedly seen liking the post.
Uh Oh: Browns DE Ogbo Okoronkwo liked a post on IG that talked about Myles Garrett not being a good leader for the team.
The post criticizes Myles for being in Japan and not at OTAs.
😬😬😬 pic.twitter.com/VlD02oAxLf
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 29, 2025
Social media aggregator Dov Kleiman shared an Instagram post from an account detailing Garrett’s mishaps thus far this offseason. The post is liked by a user named “@obeezy,” Garrett’s teammate, Okoronkwo.
The post’s caption details that, while workouts are not mandatory, the former Texas A&M Aggies’ star’s expectation to lead (following his contract extension) is off to a disappointing start.
Browns Defense Looks To Be Bright Spot Amid Struggles
In an unpredictable 2024 season, the Browns fell to the bottom three of the NFL rankings. Their joint worst record in the league was awarded with the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which they later dealt to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Their acquisition of the fifth overall pick saw them take Michigan’s talented defensive tackle, Mason Graham. The 21-year-old bolsters an already impressive Browns defense.
In 2024, the Jim Schwartz-led defense saw them land in the top 10 of PFSN’s Defense+ metric. At an 80.2 (B-) grade, the Browns’ defense finished ninth overall in the NFL.
Garrett played a massive part in keeping Cleveland afloat in 2024. His 47 total tackles, 14 sacks, and three forced fumbles offered fits to opposing NFL squads. Even though the superstar is not around for the beginning of OTAs, Browns fans have nothing to fear.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski defended his superstar, saying, “I think it’s really important to remember this is a voluntary program.”
– Q: “Myles Garrett is in Japan right now, does that upset you?”
– Stefanski: “[chuckles] No. No this is a voluntary program.”
Leadership starts at the top. When you scoff at your captain skipping team activities, you send a message to the entire team. It’s okay to not care. pic.twitter.com/BCX5fFbXJ4
— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) May 28, 2025
When asked if Stefanski was upset that Garrett was not present for OTAs, the Browns head coach bluntly said, “No, no, this is a voluntary program.”
Regardless of how the 29-year-old’s absence may be interpreted, the road ahead for Cleveland is simple: change the losing culture. Cleveland opens its road to redemption as it hosts division rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, on September 7 at 1 p.m. ET.