Myles Garrett requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns on Monday. The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year claims he wants to move on to a new team and win a Super Bowl before calling it a career.
Garrett played well this season, finishing with 40 solo tackles (a career high), 14 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. His 22 tackles for a loss were also the highest of his career in a single season.
There’s no question that Garrett is a superstar and the Browns’ defense would take a massive hit if he were traded. That’s likely partly why the organization claims it won’t deal the 29-year-old pass rusher.
Amid the trade buzz, Browns tight end David Njoku was asked if he would “like to make a plea” for Garrett to remain in Cleveland during an interview on Thursday with Adam Lefke and Mike Golic Jr. at Radio Row ahead of Super Bowl LIX. Njoku did just that, claiming the Browns are “close” and that they “just need a healthy, good quarterback.”
“Stay home […] I think we’re close, we just need a healthy good quarterback.”
David Njoku wants to finish what he started with Myles Garrett in Cleveland
🎥: @TheLandsConMan / @mikegolicjr / @AdamLefkoe pic.twitter.com/OnscyznUnZ https://t.co/2Rx6zgpVUv
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) February 6, 2025
It’s unclear how the Garrett trade saga will play out for now. In the meantime, Cleveland has an opportunity to make a splash in the NFL draft. The Browns own the No. 2 overall pick by virtue of their 3-14 record.
Njoku believes the team is a quarterback away from becoming a contender. The top two quarterback prospects this offseason are the Miami Hurricanes’ Cam Ward and the Colorado Buffaloes’ Shedeur Sanders.
However, the draft might be the only way for the Browns to improve the roster. They enter the offseason about $30 million over the salary cap, which doesn’t leave them with much wiggle room to acquire top free agents.