Things are getting ugly fast in Cleveland. The Browns are refusing to grant Myles Garrett’s trade request, and owner Jimmy Haslam is getting ripped for his unnerving stance.
Garrett first asked for a trade back on Feb. 3 when he issued a statement thanking the City of Cleveland for shaping him “into the man that I am today,” then politely requested the opportunity to pursue a Super Bowl on another team.
One month later, no trade offers have been entertained. Garrett reportedly requested a meeting with Haslam, but the Browns owner turned him down. Now, all bets are off and sparks are flying in what could be a long and drawn-out divorce.
NFL Analyst Rips Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam
FOX Sports 1’s Craig Carton took to the airwaves to blast Haslam for the stalemate in Cleveland. Garrett went about his business in an extremely professional manner, politely requesting the opportunity to be traded and compete for a championship.
No hard feelings … except there were hard feelings in the front office.
.@craigcartonlive RIPS Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam for reportedly declining Myles Garrett’s request to meet with him:
“He has not been a good owner. Myles Garrett will never play another down for the Cleveland Browns, and I don’t blame him.” pic.twitter.com/5WLIamXNaB
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) March 7, 2025
Not only did Haslam not grant Garrett’s trade request, he won’t even talk to him. Carton set the scene by painting a picture of one of the worst owners in sports. He boldly predicted Garrett won’t play another down for the Cleveland Browns.
“They despise Jimmy Haslam [in Cleveland]. He has not been a good owner. He does not represent the good people of Cleveland, and this is bat-proof crazy,” Carton said on Breakfast Ball.
“When your best player, or, really, quite frankly, when any player requests an opportunity to speak with you — now we don’t know what that was going to be, we can assume he was going to politely ask for the opportunity to seek a trade — and it’s the Browns’ right to allow him to do that, and say yes or no to the best offer.
“But, when you tell your best player I won’t even grant you a meeting?! Myles Garrett will never play another down for the Cleveland Browns, and I don’t blame him.”
Myles Garrett Told to Speak to Browns GM Andrew Berry
According to Mary Kay Cabot, Haslam told Garrett to go talk to general manager Andrew Berry about his trade request. Unfortunately, Berry doubled down on the owner’s stance when asked about the desultory situation at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“We understand the trade costs and everything, but our stance really has not changed,” Berry said, via CBS Sports. “We can’t imagine a situation where not having Myles in this organization is best for the Browns.”
Garrett, arguably the best pass rusher in football, has two years remaining on the five-year, $250 million contract he inked back in 2020. There are rumors circulating about the Browns wanting to hand him an extension, but Garrett doesn’t seem interested. The 29-year-old would prefer to take his talents elsewhere, preferably to a Super Bowl contender.
“Speaking with the management at the Browns, I don’t feel like our future is aligned with winning right now,” Garrett told ESPN. “And that’s what I’m looking forward to do at this stage of my career.”
Garrett’s current contract is 5 years for $125 million, not 250 million.