The Cleveland Browns have already shipped wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills and could end up in full sell-mode ahead of the NFL's November 5 trade deadline after a 1-6 start and a season-ending injury to QB Deshaun Watson.
Naturally, that has led to speculation about whether star defensive end and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett might be on the move over the next couple of weeks. According to Garrett, however, that isn't going to happen.
A reporter asked the edge rusher about trade rumors during a press conference earlier this week and got a four-word guarantee in response.
“I’ll be playing here,” Garrett said.
Cleveland's defense has been the team's superior unit this season, though that also means there are potentially more players on that side of the football who competitive teams might want.
Cornerback Denzel Ward, who is making more than $100 million, is another multiple-time Pro Bowler who the Browns could probably get back some serious draft capital for if they were willing to trade him.
However, Cleveland is in a difficult spot with an expensive roster moving forward no matter what the front office does due to the $73 million salary cap hits Watson represents in both 2025 and 2026.
Selling off some expensive contracts for draft capital that will allow the Browns to get younger and cheaper (and presumably better) next season makes all the sense in the world. However, the team can't send too much talent out the door, as it has spent to try and win now ever since dealing for Watson in March of 2022.
Cleveland is 19-22 in the regular season since making that move and has one playoff appearance to its credit, though that ended in a blowout loss to the Houston Texans over Wildcard Weekend back in January.
