So much for one of football's most feared defenders putting his name on the trade block.
In the wake of star wide receiver Amari Cooper being traded to the Buffalo Bills, Myles Garrett addressed his future with the Cleveland Browns on Friday, reiterating he wants to finish his career where it started despite the team's current straits.
"I want to play here 'til the end of my career," Garrett said, per Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan. "I want to win here. I want to bring a championship here. That doesn't cross my mind no matter the record. I'm always focused on how we can improve, how we can turn things around. In my mind, I never think of doing anything else."
Cleveland enters Sunday's matchup with the in-state rival Cincinnati Bengals at 1-5, tied with the Jaguars and the Patriots at the very bottom of the AFC standings. The stunning midseason turnaround the Browns enjoyed a year ago doesn't seem in the offing, either.
The team remains defiantly committed to starting Deshaun Watson at quarterback, whose widespread struggles have resulted in Cleveland scoring 15.8 points per game, third-lowest in the NFL.
Backup Jameis Winston could very well outplay Watson if given the chance. Still, it's naive to believe he could replicate the success veteran Joe Flacco enjoyed last season after Watson was injured, leading the Browns to an unlikely playoff berth.
More dispiriting for Garrett and other veterans? Watson's massive guaranteed contract will make rebuilding the roster extremely onerous for Cleveland until his contract can be voided come 2027.
Garrett insists he's unconcerned by the future, though. He's taking this season one day and one game at a time, imploring teammates to do the same despite the specter of more trades leading up to the Nov. 5 deadline.
"We have to finish what we started," he said. "Keep the main thing, work on where we are now. No one should be worried about the situation with Amari and how it affects them. We're still here. Everyone's still here."
The Browns and Bengals kickoff from Cleveland's Huntington Bank Field at 1:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday.
