Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett may be aware of the team's choice for a starting quarterback in 2025.

When asked if he has an idea of Cleveland's future starter during an appearance on Best Podcast Available, the star pass-rusher confirmed that he does.

"After conversations, I do have an idea," Garrett said.

"I like it enough to be here smiling in front of you because I think we have a good chance of that happening and making the most out of it," he added.

Veteran Russell Wilson visited with the Browns on Thursday as a free agent but left without a deal. Garrett was present at Cleveland's meeting with the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and revealed his pitch to the signal-caller.

"I won't take you to the ground three or four times a year," Garrett said, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic.

The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year secured his own future with the Browns during the offseason. Garrett signed a four-year extension that averages $40 million per year and includes $123.5 million in guaranteed money to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

With Cleveland attempting to make the playoffs for the second time in three years during its upcoming 2025 campaign, Garrett appears to have insight into the Browns' target for their next starting quarterback.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett confirmed he is recruiting free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson.

Wilson took a visit to the Browns this week and could be an option for the team as it looks to find its quarterback for 2025. Garrett was notably at the Browns facility when Wilson made his visit and told reporters he spoke with the quarterback.

When asked about what sales pitch he made, Garrett simply noted that Wilson wouldn't have to face him if they were teammates.

"I won't take you to the ground three or four times a year," Garrett said, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic.

Wilson reportedly left the Browns facility on Thursday without a deal. He is scheduled to meet with the New York Giants on Friday and could also potentially return to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Wilson spent 2024 in Pittsburgh after being with the Denver Broncos for the previous two seasons. He threw for 2,482 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions while helping the team go 10-7 and earn a playoff berth.

While Wilson may not be in his prime, his production would be an upgrade over what the Browns got last season. Cleveland had four different quarterbacks start games and finished 3-14 after going 11-6 in 2023.

Wilson could elevate the offense and give Garrett and the defense more support as the team hopes to return to contention. Not facing Garrett, who had 14 sacks in 2024, would be an added bonus as Wilson approaches the next stage of his career.

In his first public comments since signing a historic four-year, $160 million contract extension on March 9, Myles Garrett wants everyone to know his priority is bringing a championship to the Cleveland Browns.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Garrett said his new deal was "never about the money" and he's "always been about winning."

The extension ended any potential drama between Garrett and the Browns after he requested a trade in February.

Garrett said in a statement at the time his request became public noted his goal "was never to go from Cleveland to Canton," but have the opportunity to compete for Super Bowls.

"With that in mind, I have requested to be traded from the Cleveland Browns."

The implication was that Garrett didn't believe the Browns would offer him the opportunity to compete for championships. The six-time Pro Bowler made it seem like he was really committed to his trade stance.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on March 7 that Garrett was prepared to sit out games if his trade request wasn't granted.

The Browns were consistent in their messaging that they had no intention of moving Garrett. It would have been extremely difficult for them to do so anyway because they were already in a cap bind and he would have counted $36 million in dead money for them if a trade happened before June 1. A post-June 1 trade would have saved the team around $5 million against the 2025 cap.

Cleveland's front office hasn't shown the ability to build a consistently successful team around Garrett since he entered the NFL in 2017. The team has just one playoff win in two playoff appearances during that span.

There is another opportunity for the Browns to add an impact player in the draft with the No. 2 overall pick, but it seems unlikely they will have a chance to select Cam Ward. The top-ranked quarterback in the 2025 class is becoming increasingly likely to be selected by the Tennessee Titans at No. 1 overall.

The Browns could always put together a tantalizing package to move up a spot that ensures they can select Ward if he's their top quarterback.

Until the Browns solve their issues at quarterback, though, it's hard to find a path for this franchise to be successful. They had one of the best defenses in DVOA history (since 2003) during the 2023 season, finished 11-6 and lost their first playoff game to the Houston Texans by 31 points.

Garrett, who was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, is absolutely a foundation piece that the Browns are smart to build around. He has recorded at least 10 sacks in each of the past seven seasons and led the NFL with 22 tackles for loss in 2024.

If the Cleveland Browns sign quarterback Russell Wilson, it would reportedly have "no bearing" on what the team decides to do with the No. 2 overall draft pick, per league sources to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz.

"Whether that's Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders remains to be seen, but league sources remain adamant that signing Wilson will have no bearing on their decision with the No. 2 pick. He represents a bridge, nothing more, nothing less," Schultz wrote.

"Maybe it's a year, maybe it's six games, but Cleveland — who just paid a record-setting contract to Myles Garrett — will begin the youth movement under center sooner rather than later, regardless of if Wilson signs."

Per Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, Wilson visited the Browns on Thursday but left without a deal. He's set to meet with the New York Giants on Friday.

Cleveland needs to figure out a long-term solution at quarterback with the Deshaun Watson era all but over at this point. He is under contract for two more seasons, but Watson has been ineffective when healthy and is now recovering from a ruptured Achilles that will likely force him to "miss significant time" in 2025.

The 36-year-old Wilson could certainly be a stopgap before the team hands the keys to a hopeful long-term solution at quarterback. He fared well for the Steelers last season, completing 63.7 percent of his passes for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.

But Cleveland, at No. 2, is in position to take a quarterback. The B/R NFL Scouting Department only has two quarterbacks under first-round consideration in Miami's Cam Ward (No. 9 overall) and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders (No. 18). The next-closest signal-caller is Ohio State's Will Howard (No. 54).

The latest consensus big board from NFL Mock Draft Database has Ward first and Sanders fourth.

Regardless of what the Browns do, it's clear that adding a veteran like Wilson may not affect the team's future plans. Ultimately, Cleveland does need to figure out a solution there as a team that's played quarterback roulette since returning to the league in 1999 looks for much-needed stability and success.

The Cleveland Browns' newest quarterback does not see himself as a backup.

"I'm excited to get back into [the AFC North] and I just think it's a great opportunity to go compete," Kenny Pickett said Thursday, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "... I do view myself as a starter."

Cleveland acquired Pickett via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round draft pick.

However, it likely isn't done adding to the quarterback room since Deshaun Watson is dealing with an Achilles injury that could sideline him for the upcoming campaign. Oyefusi noted Russell Wilson will visit with the team Thursday, which is something Pickett said he is "fine" with as the team looks for a potential veteran option.

There is also the NFL draft, and the Browns have the No. 2 overall pick and could be in position to select Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders.

Still, Pickett has confidence in himself after entering the season as a first-round pick of his own in 2022. He spent the first two years of his career on the Pittsburgh Steelers and went 14-10 as a starter while completing 62.6 percent of his passes for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

He dealt with inconsistency for much of his tenure with Pittsburgh and spent the 2024 campaign backing up Jalen Hurts as the Eagles won the Super Bowl.

It remains to be seen who Pickett will be competing with in Cleveland with free agency still open and the draft looming, but he is ready to battle for a starting role.

Even though Myles Garrett has been a dominant force in games for the Cleveland Browns, he's apparently not punctual nor does he set a good example for the rest of the team.

Per The Athletic's Jason Lloyd, Garrett is "frequently late" to the team's facilities and is "breaking the rules" by skipping mandatory team activities "on multiple occasions."

Even though there's never been anything substantial reported about Garrett's apparent knack for tardiness, Lloyd called it "well known" within the Browns organization.

Garrett has skipped organized team activities during the offseason multiple times in his career, including in 2023 and 2024, but that's a voluntary part of the offseason calendar. It's not uncommon for established veterans to sit out OTAs.

It is fair to point out that Lloyd has gone in on Garrett in the past. He was critical of him for skipping OTAs in 2023 because the Browns were running a new defensive scheme after hiring Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator:

"If you want to be a leader on this team, if you’re a franchise pillar, you need to be at this. And it’s a new defensive coordinator. It’s a new scheme. There’s a lot at stake this year, there’s a lot of jobs at stake, the future of your career is at stake. Because if this thing goes sideways, who knows where this goes—this is a really important season and a really important offseason. And if you want to carry yourself as a pillar of this franchise, and as a leader of this franchise, set the tone."

Nick Chubb, whose reputation around the NFL is about as high as any individual player's could be, also wasn't in attendance at Browns OTAs in 2023.

Skipping OTAs didn't seem to impact Garrett or the Browns defense that much in 2023. He became the first player in franchise history to win Defensive Player of the Year, and the Browns made the playoffs with an 11-6 record.

The Browns seemed to have no concern about Garrett's character or ability to impact games going forward. They made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history by giving him a four-year, $160 million extension with a full no-trade clause to end any trade speculation.

Garrett has been named to the All-Pro team in each of the past five seasons, including four first-team selections during that span. His 102.5 sacks since his rookie year in 2017 are the second-most in the NFL, behind only T.J. Watt (108).

There's no question that the Browns have a lot of work to do if they want to be regarded as a top-tier team in the AFC, but Garrett's track record of elite performance suggests he's one of the few players they don't have to worry about.

It's possible things could change, especially as Garrett continues to age, but he gave them a commitment by signing a new deal that indicates he's dedicated to making the Browns as successful as they can possibly be.

After the Cleveland Browns rewarded disgruntled defensive end Myles Garrett with a historic contract extension, team owner Jimmy Haslam is facing criticism for his problem-solving methods.

Garrett requested to be traded from the Browns earlier this offseason but was instead signed to a new deal that includes $122.8 million guaranteed and an annual salary of $40 million, which made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at the time. While retaining the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year should benefit the team, some questioned if Haslam made the right move by simply shelling out a massive amount of cash to resolve the situation.

"If Jimmy Haslam spent two weeks with us, he’d throw up at the amount of money he wastes," an NFL assistant coach told The Athletic's Jason Lloyd.

The coach illustrated that throwing cash at problems doesn't necessarily result in winning in the NFL, which is a lesson Haslam probably should've learned by now. Upon acquiring quarterback Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans, the Browns signed him to the largest contract in NFL history with a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal. However, Watson has appeared in a total of just 19 games over three years in Cleveland, most recently suffering a torn Achilles midway through the 2024 campaign.

Lloyd noted that the Browns "spent more money last year than any other team in league history," but that resulted in a disappointing 3-14 finish to last season.

Cleveland still has massive holes to fill this offseason if it hopes to return to playoff contention in 2025, but Haslam's reckless spending could hinder the team's chances to make necessary improvements.

Myles Garrett is staying with the Cleveland Browns after all.

Despite a trade request earlier in the offseason, the star pass-rusher agreed to a new contract extension with the Browns on Sunday. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the contract pays him an average-annual salary of $40 million, includes $123.5 million in guarantees, features a no-trade clause and keeps him tied to the Browns through the 2030 campaign.

What's more, it makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

It adds another layer to the team's financial outlook. According to Over The Cap, Cleveland is just 25th in the league with $12.6 million in cap space for 2025.

It certainly doesn't help the Browns that quarterback Deshaun Watson is carrying a $36.9 million cap number into the 2025 season, per Over The Cap. That would be a significant number even if he was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and becomes far more cumbersome given his actual status.

Watson has played just 19 games with Cleveland the last three years, has struggled to live up to expectations on the field and now could miss the entire 2025 campaign after suffering a second Achilles year.

That means the front office has to find ways to improve a team that went 3-14 last season all while dealing with arguably the worst contract in the NFL.

Yet keeping Garrett around will help in those 2025 efforts.

He is the face of the franchise at this point with a resume that includes a Defensive Player of the Year, four First-Team All-Pro nods, six Pro Bowl selections and seven consecutive seasons with double-digit sack totals.

Garrett was a bright spot last season with 47 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass defended. He is also just 29 years old and figures to remain a peak performer for the foreseeable future.

Taking care of his contract ahead of free agency and the draft means the front office can now focus on addressing other needs on the roster.

Quarterback stands out as the most obvious one, and the team will have to decide whether it wants to add a notable veteran such as Kirk Cousins or draft one such as Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders with the No. 2 overall pick.

Whoever is under center can at least take solace knowing Garrett will be on the other side consistently working to get the offense the ball back for years to come.

The Cleveland Browns are keeping their top defender for the foreseeable future.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Cleveland and Myles Garrett agreed to a new deal that will make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The contract will pay him an average-annual value of $40 million and feature $123.5 million in guarantees.

It also includes a no-trade clause:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provided a full breakdown of the new deal:

Garrett, who was previously set to hit unrestricted free agency after the 2026 season, requested a trade from the Browns on Feb. 3, per Rapoport.

He wrote in a statement shared by Rapoport that his "desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won't allow me to be complacent" by playing on a team not in contention for a Super Bowl.

The Browns apparently convinced Garrett the team could become competitive enough for his recommitment to playing in Cleveland.

The new contract comes after Garrett followed up his 2023 Defensive Player of the Year campaign by posting 14.0 sacks and leading the NFL with 22 tackles for loss in 2024.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters after the 2024 season he didn't see how Garrett wasn't "the best defensive player in the National Football League again," and general manager Andrew Berry said the Browns wouldn't consider trading Garrett even if offered two first-round picks in exchange.

After consistently describing Garrett as the NFL's best defender, the Browns had to pay him like one.

Cleveland is hoping this contract will be worth it to keep a defender who has missed just two games over the last four seasons, while recording at least 14.0 sacks and 17 tackles for loss in all four campaigns.

The Browns will now look to build around Garrett with their selections the 2025 NFL Draft. Cleveland, which holds the No. 2 pick, is in need of a quarterback after Deshaun Watson's second Achilles tear.

The franchise also holds eight additional picks in the draft, including the first selection of the second round. Garrett will hope the Browns use those picks to take the next step toward contending.

The ongoing drama between the Cleveland Browns and Myles Garrett over the star pass-rusher's trade request took another turn on Friday.

Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam denied a request from Garrett for a meeting as the organization continues to make clear they have no interest in trading the six-time Pro Bowler.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com added Haslam told Garrett to speak with Browns general manager Andrew Berry.

Pelissero's report noted that Garrett is prepared to miss games during the 2025 season if he doesn't get traded.

Garrett publicly announced his trade request in a statement released on Feb. 3, citing a desire to "compete for and win a Super Bowl."

The Browns have consistently responded to Garrett's request by saying they don't intend to trade him.

Speaking to reporters at the NFL scouting combine on Feb. 25, Berry said the organization understood Garrett's request even though he no desire to follow through on it.

"He's a huge part of our organization. Really good person," Berry said. "He's an awesome player. Understand the trade request and everything, but our stance really has not changed. We can't imagine a situation where not having Myles as a part of the organization is best for the Browns."

Both sides have dug in. Cabot reported on Feb. 27 that Garrett is "not open" to talking about an extension with the Browns and has "apparently slammed the door shut on negotiations."

Cleveland's stance in this situation could be motivated as much by the salary cap as it is a desire to keep a great player like Garrett on the roster. The Browns currently have $12.6 million in cap space.

Trading Garrett prior to June 1 would result in the Browns taking on a $16.5 million dead cap hit. That figure would change to just under $5 million in cap savings if he were to be traded after June 1.

Garrett, the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, is arguably the most dominant edge-rusher in the NFL right now. He has recorded at least 10 sacks in every season since 2018, including at least 14 in each of the past four seasons.

Since entering the NFL in 2017, Garrett's 102.5 sacks are the second-most in the league behind T.J. Watt (108).

The Browns have only made the playoffs three times since rejoining the NFL in 1999, with two of those appearances coming since 2020. They haven't advanced beyond the divisional round since losing to the Denver Broncos in the 1989 AFC Championship Game.