Myles Garrett has sacked 31 totally different quarterbacks throughout his eight-year NFL profession. On Friday, the four-time All-Professional edge rusher needed to stand in his personal pocket and take the strain of fielding questions on his resolution to signal an extension with the Cleveland Browns as an alternative of attempting to comply with by on his commerce request.
“I believe I had some frustration. And you recognize, I really feel like that helped us develop and have conversations that have been troublesome, however wanted available,” Garrett mentioned. “I believe the followers will see that my coronary heart is in the precise place. It has by no means been about cash. It’s all the time been about profitable. That’s the place my frustration lies.”
Garrett’s four-year contract extension has a median wage of $40m and makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL historical past.
The deal ended a month-long saga that started throughout Tremendous Bowl week when the 2023 AP Defensive Participant of the 12 months requested for a commerce, saying he wished to win a Tremendous Bowl. The Browns have been agency, nonetheless, that they’d not entertain provides from different groups.
Garrett mentioned he believes the commerce request and voicing his frustration concerning the Browns’ 3-14 marketing campaign was the catalyst for modifications within the crew.
“I had some frustration and I really feel like that helped us develop and have conversations [with Browns general manager Andrew Berry] that have been troublesome however wanted available and that created slightly bit extra discourse, helped construct some relationships and reaffirmed them,” Garrett mentioned. “Now I really feel like we’re in a greater place and now we will transfer on and develop from there.”
Garrett additionally mentioned that crew proprietor Jimmy Haslam largely staying out of the discussions allowed Garrett and Berry to have construtive talks. With an extension that features $122.8m assured and a complete worth of $204.8m, there’s a prevailing opinion amongst Browns followers that Garrett’s resolution ended up being about cash moderately than hopes of success. Garrett is aware of that’s one thing he should disprove.
“If it’s concerning the cash then I can simply pack it in and never go on the market and provides my greatest effort. However I plan to be the perfect particular person attainable on this locker room, be the perfect chief attainable and in addition to dominating on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays,” he mentioned. “Giving all the pieces for these sorts of wins and what I’ve performed 12 months in and 12 months out, that actually proves it to the followers. No quantity of phrases will.”
The Browns have solely been to the playoffs twice since Garrett was the primary total choose within the 2017 NFL draft. He has 102.5 sacks in his profession, together with 14 in 2024.
The extension means many will even count on Garrett to change into extra of a crew chief in addition to one of many Browns’ main recruiters of free brokers. Garrett was within the Browns complicated on Thursday to fulfill quarterback Russell Wilson. The New York Giants are assembly with Wilson on Friday.
Garrett mentioned he introduced up coming to the Browns with Wilson in the course of the Professional Bowl.
“I undoubtedly suppose he’d be a helpful asset as a frontrunner, as a mentor to these younger guys. Veteran management can’t be understated and I believe he undoubtedly has some juice left on the place. He has loads of arm left, he’s very sensible and he is aware of what he’s able to. So he’d be a helpful asset,” Garrett mentioned.
