Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns‘ handling of their roster and financial decisions has been a source of frustration for fans, and the situation surrounding Myles Garrett is the latest example of their mismanagement.
Regarding the Feb. 5 editorial, “Myles Garrett ready to throw in the towel with the Browns,” the Deshaun Watson deal wasn’t just one bad move—it was three. First, trading away massive draft capital to acquire Watson was a historically poor decision. Second, giving Watson a fully guaranteed $230 million contract was an equally disastrous move. Third, trading away Baker Mayfield for a conditional fifth-round pick was an unnecessary blunder that left the franchise without a viable alternative at quarterback.
These moves represent the strongest indictment yet of the current leadership trio of owner Jimmy Haslam, general manager Andrew Berry, and head coach Kevin Stefanski. However, they are not the only examples of questionable decision-making. The Browns have haggled over contract terms with star running back Nick Chubb, arguably the best at his position. They have also cast doubt on the commitment of their Pro Bowl wide receiver while simultaneously exploring trade options for him. Meanwhile, ownership expects taxpayers to foot half the bill for a new stadium, despite these ongoing missteps.
The team frequently uses buzzwords like “tough, smart, accountable” and emphasizes its supposed “Super Bowl window,” but fans are no longer buying it. The disconnect between leadership’s messaging and the on-field results is clear.
Talk of a “direct ticket from Cleveland to Canton” for Myles Garrett appears to be fading, and it seems he is just as disillusioned as the fans. Trading Garrett to recoup lost draft capital might make sense from a roster-building perspective, but that’s not why many fans support the idea. Instead, they want to see him escape the dysfunction—a dysfunction so deep that not even a generational talent like Garrett could overcome it. A potential trade would serve as a final, undeniable indictment of a leadership group that continues to undermine its own team’s success.
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