New Browns HC Todd Monken addresses Myles Garrett decision amid trade rumors

Cleveland Browns star pass-rusher Myles Garrett is expected to skip at least some voluntary workouts after he and the club agreed to change when option bonuses attached to his contract will be paid out. 

Garrett's decision understandably may cause some to assume that he has no interest in reporting for work under the new Browns head coach, Todd Monken. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Monken suggested he isn't losing sleep over Garrett's whereabouts this spring. 

Is it "important" for Myles Garrett to attend Browns' offseason workouts?

"First of all, as I’ve said before, this is voluntary for our players to be here," Monken explained, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I think if you asked every coach in the NFL, would they like every player to be there? Of course. I think there’s certain parts of what we do from a connection standpoint that I think is important to be here, [as well as] from a schematic standpoint. From a work standpoint? Not so much." 

Garrett signed a four-year, $160M extension that included $123.5M guaranteed and a no-trade clause last offseason. Nevertheless, some think a team could explore making a so-called "'Godfather' offer" to acquire his services after June 1 of this year. 

Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand is among those who think the team could want at least two first-round draft picks and a player selected with a first-round choice for Garrett, who set a new official single-season record of 23 sacks on the final Sunday of the 2025 campaign. While Garrett went public with a trade request shortly before he signed his extension, he has been quieter about his short-term future this spring. 

Is Todd Monken worried about Myles Garrett's mindset amid trade rumors? 

"...It is our job to make it to where the guys want to be here," Monken added during his comments about Garrett. "I mean, not just by the job, but by the development, the camaraderie, being part of a team. And hell, I’ve been a part of a team since I was five years old — there’s nothing like it. I wouldn’t miss it, because that’s me, that’s how I’m wired. But it is voluntary. Myles will be ready. I’m not worried about Myles."

Even if Garrett reports for voluntary sessions as soon as this week, some may continue to wonder if he is simply waiting for an advertised contender to make an all-in move to land him before the 2026 season gets underway. Some Cleveland media members feel that Monken was trying to send a message to Garrett on Wednesday, but there's only so much any coach can say or do about who stays away from a team at this time of the year.