Browns insider addresses Myles Garrett trade, June 1 narratives

Some who cover the Cleveland Browns are convinced general manager Andrew Berry won't seriously discuss trading wantaway pass-rusher Myles Garrett with other clubs during the NFL Combine, in part because Cleveland allegedly can't realistically complete such a transaction before June 1 due to salary-cap issues.

On Monday, Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand addressed why Berry must "measure the trade market for" Garrett this week. 

"Regardless of what Berry says publicly, the Browns must pursue the best possible trade of Garrett, who is committed to chasing a ring rather than playing in Cleveland. Trying to change his mind is a waste of time," Grossi explained. "The Browns need to complete a trade of Garrett prior to the draft – if not the March 12 new (league) year start -- to bear the most assets in return. If that requires a redo of Garrett’s contract in advance to lessen the salary-cap penalty, they’ll need his cooperation. A trade of Garrett after the draft, much less after June 1, makes absolutely no sense." 

During one of Garrett's numerous Super Bowl week media appearances, he said that he is "willing to do whatever it takes" to receive his desired trade so he can "come in and have an immediate effect" with his new club. In theory, that should include making his existing contract as tradable as possible. Garrett is signed through the 2026 season.

"There is no financial benefit to waiting until after June 1," Grossi said earlier in the week about the Browns possibly trading Garrett. "There is a salary-cap benefit, that’s all. The Browns can get around the salary-cap ramifications by working with Garrett and a trade partner to sign a new contract that would reduce the cap impact and then trading him."

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and others who cover the Browns have said throughout February that Cleveland is serious about holding onto Garrett because Berry thinks the team is a quarterback away from potentially returning to the playoffs in January 2026. However, Cabot pointed out over this past weekend that "it really does seem as though Garrett wants out regardless of what the Browns do to bolster the team this offseason." 

If Berry has reason to believe Garrett would sit regular-season games out this fall to protest still being with the Browns, Cleveland delaying a needed roster restructuring by keeping the one-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winner through all of 2025 may simply be the wrong business move. 

Grossi has repeatedly insisted that "Garrett has more leverage than most in the media are admitting" regarding a trade. Perhaps that reality could result in Berry accepting an offer from a different team for the All-Pro's services before the first weekend of March concludes.