Wow. I cannot believe I am writing this article. Myles Garrett, the face of the franchise for the Cleveland Browns has officially requested a trade from the team that drafted him first overall in 2017. Myles Garrett has played his whole career with the Cleveland Browns, totaling 102.5 sacks, 352 tackles, four first-team all-pros, two second-team all-pros, six pro bowl appearances, and a defensive player of the year title in his eight years with the team. To say Myles is a franchise cornerstone is an understatement. Ian Rappaport was the first to break the news on the trade request at 11 am on Monday, February 3rd:

Myles Garrett has requested a trade.

His statement: pic.twitter.com/yx5Q9Exa0V

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 3, 2025

Myles Garrett’s letter above has some interesting nods to an Andrew Berry press conference from last week where the Browns General Manager said the team would not trade the star. Berry said the goal for Garrett was to go from “Cleveland to Canton,” something Garrett referenced in the second paragraph of his letter stating “The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton” and honestly I don’t blame him.

A Cleveland Fan’s Take

This team has failed its players and its fans. While still shocking I think I speak for all Browns fans when I say, I do not blame Myles for requesting a trade at all. This team sold everyone on a dream that we would be contenders in the 2024 season and then proceeded to give us a 3-14 season. There is no direction for this franchise that isn’t a rebuild. The Browns sold their soul for a quarterback that has completely crippled this franchise for years to come, and Myles requesting a trade is a direct result of that. Now one must wonder what is next and who is going to be shipped off next. I wouldn’t blame veterans like Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, and Denzel Ward for wanting to get out of town and “compete for and win a Super Bowl” to quote Myles yet again.

What Will It Take?

The Browns are trying to say they still will not trade Myles after his request, make no mistake, this trade is happening regardless if the Browns want it to or not. The logistical nightmare it would be for the Browns to keep him on this roster would only set the franchise back further making even more players not want to play for this team. So what will it take? Selfishly as a Browns fan, I want and would not budge for any less than 3 first-round picks, a day 2 pick, and a few day 3 picks. Will they get that? Who knows. Myles is worth that price but the market may not be as rich since everyone knows they need to trade him. At least in this scenario, however, the Browns can sort of recoup the lost assets from the Watson trade and try to build for the future, But even then do we really have faith they can do so?

Is There Hope?

I cannot say it enough. This team, its owners, and its front office have failed its fans and players, and now for the team to go to the media and say you are “not entertaining offers” on Myles Garrett is absurd and only makes them look even worse that they won’t do right by a player that they ultimately forced into this situation. This fan base does not deserve the incompetency this team has shown since returning in 1999 and it seems that it is only to get worse from here.