Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett made headlines this offseason after reportedly requesting a trade from the team that drafted him in 2017.
But after securing a four-year, $160 million contract, which includes more than $123 million guaranteed and a $21 million signing bonus, he chose to stay in Cleveland.
Now, the Browns’ front office is asking for more from their superstar, as owner Jimmy Haslam recently challenged Garrett to step up as a leader.
Cleveland Browns Owner Calls Out Myles Garrett Over His Practice Habits
Since being selected No. 1 overall in 2017, Garrett has established himself as one of the league’s premier pass rushers. He earned the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year award, along with four first-team All-Pro selections and six Pro Bowl appearances.
However, Jason Lloyd of The Athletic recently reported that it is “well known within the Browns that Garrett is frequently late to the facility . . . [and] has skipped mandatory team activities on multiple occasions.”
Despite his dominance on the field, the Browns have largely overlooked these issues—until now. Haslam confirmed that Garrett’s massive contract extension came with the expectation that he would improve his practice habits and take on a leadership role.
“What we’ve challenged Myles on is, by his practice habits, by his actions, etcetera, to become a real leader of the team,” Haslam told Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. “And he has said he’d do that, and we’re hopeful that he will be.”
How Did Garrett Earn This Massive Payday?
It’s easy to see why the Browns were willing to commit to Garrett. He finished the 2024 season with 14 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery in 17 games.
However, despite his efforts, Cleveland finished 3-14, raising the question: Was keeping Garrett the smartest move for the franchise long term?
The Browns still lack key pieces to become a Super Bowl contender—most notably a star quarterback. Their defense also has gaps beyond Garrett.
According to PFSN’s Defense+ metric, Cleveland ranked No. 9 last season. For comparison, the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense ranked No. 2 when they won the Super Bowl this past season. Without a star-studded offense, it’s hard to see the Browns finding success if the defense isn’t elite.
Still, Garrett’s individual dominance is undeniable. He led all qualified players with an 18.4% pressure rate in 2024. Over the past three seasons, he’s recorded an NFL-best 44 sacks, and among players with at least 500 pass-rushing snaps in that span, he ranks fifth in pressure rate (17.6%).
The only players ahead of him? Micah Parsons, Bryce Huff, Nick Bosa, and Josh Uche.
Time will tell if this extension was the right move for Cleveland, but few can argue that Garrett isn’t worth the investment.