In December, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett said he wanted to see a plan from the organization to win in the near future. On the face of it is was hard to see the Browns being able to form such a plan, and apparently if it has been presented it was not to Garrett's liking.
On Monday morning, and as has been noted perhaps not coincidentally the day after being around his peers at the Pro Bowl, Garrett released a statement announcing he has asked the Browns to trade him. Exclusive statement: pic. Of course a trade request from a player does not have to be honored. Browns general manager Andrew Berry recently said, as he would be expected to, that he wouldn't even trade Garrett if he was offered two first-round picks.
That Garrett's trade request came after Berry said that, and the statement reverse-quoted Berry the "Cleveland to Canton" part feels meaningful. Garrett's desire to "compete for and win" a Super Bowl points him directly to a team like the Detroit Lions. As against his general grain as it would be, general manager Brad Holmes may be eyeing a big move, having asked the Raiders about Maxx Crosby previously. At 29 years old, Garrett remains one of the best edge rushers in the league with no signs of slowing down.
Garrett is under contract for two more years. Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac has freshly outlined the implications of a trade. The Lions will have to pay Aidan Hutchinson soon, so having two expensive edge rushers possibly the two highest-paid in the league stretches the likelihood of them making a trade for Garrett.
Acquiring him may mean reworking the final two years of his contract, which as Ginnitti noted have no guaranteed salary, as well as extending him at his market value. Reasonable takes can dismiss the idea of the Lions trading for Garrett. They would lose notable players down the road if they did it.
