Today is the NFL’s biggest day with a champion crowned.  This year it’s the same bunch, the Chiefs and Eagles.  Us Browns fans can just watch as another season has come and gone, and we still have never been to the mergers biggest game. True, we have won numerous NFL Titles a few era’s ago that seem miles away now.

That brings us to Myles Garrett, the Browns best player asking to be traded this week from a lost franchise that he has given much to, not the least of which has been patience. He should be commended for that.  Sure he’s a great player, but I’m NOT in the “He deserves better” camp.  These are pampered grown men multi-millionaires.  And talking about them as if they are 12-year olds that are “trying their hardest out there,”  as we bring Gatorade and orange slices for the team, is simply juvenile and silly.  Myles Garrett asked to be traded for professional reasons, all of them 100% legit. 

It seems Garrett fully understands he’s an 8 year veteran on a ticking clock, with his greatest years dwindling down to a precious few and he’s right.  That to me, signals he has NO faith in this front office to get this right soon. I also feel it irked him, as it irked me, that the GM spoke for him a few weeks ago stating Myles was “not going anywhere,” only from “Cleveland to Canton.”   Who the heck does he think he is?  Good Lord dude, who taught you any people skills at all?  It’s HIS life and career, not yours.  Also I feel the guaranteed Watson contract is a huge problem not just for Myles, but for many on this team.  Its fingers are very long, especially with him seemingly not interested in any real recovery.

So now the jockeying begins.  The Browns say we are not trading Myles, but they’ve said that before about OBJ, Amari Cooper, heck they even repeatedly publicly committed to Baker Mayfield, then cut him.  What they’ll do is this.  They’ll offer Myles a series of new contracts over a few weeks that he will more than likely turn down hoping that the fans will turn on Myles, so they can say, “we did all we could, and he said no.”  Then as time passes, more than likely the price for Myles will go down, as teams figure out the Browns have no choice but to trade him, or let him sit out.  And no team will be in any mood to do us any favors, because of the guaranteed Watson deal.  This could be another hack job as they may devalue the best asset they have.  Or, he may say yes and stay here for a bunch more money.

I’ll admit, I’m radical on this.  If it was me, I’d trade him in a heartbeat and garner a whole lot for him to begin the rebuilding.  Because this roster is a few years away from the top of the division.  I’d also trade Denzel Ward.  I’m not anti-Ward at all. I think he’s an elite player, but he’s not the answer on the field now.  He’s part of the future solution. Think of what Francisco Lindor did for the Guardians.  Trading him when he couldn’t be signed here, helped rebuild them, just as he helped build them a few years earlier.  I’d get a ton for both of these guys and start the process, to relieve my salary cap woes that Watson is causing.  I’d find the right trading partners and stockpile high picks and think of 2026 and beyond.  I’d even strategically dangle David Njoku out there.  These guys are the keys to the future, not the present.  The Browns today have way more problems than they admit.

Then the Browns need to do what others do. Start selecting the best players in the draft and not worry about what  position they play.  Sign a QB that’ll get you to the next era, AND find a young one THAT CAN PLAY IN THE NFL, and stop with the DTR’s of the world.  Understand next year may be difficult even with a last place schedule. But look at the Texans.  We built them.  FACTS – they’ve won 2 divisional titles in 2 years. Won 2 HOME playoff games, while our stadium here has never even hosted ONE.  Look at the Chargers too, Lions as well.  It can be done.

I sincerely hope the Browns see this as a real opportunity to rebuild and not some situation they need to be “right about again.”  We’re all tired of that.  Yes, we may be miles away –  but for me  –  the whole thing begins with  – Myles away.

GO BROWNS