Myles Garrett’s decision to publicly request a trade from the Cleveland Browns sent shockwaves through the NFL and drew reactions from some of the league’s biggest stars.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, a native of Northeast Ohio, chimed in during Super Bowl week as he prepares to play for his fourth championship ring against the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend.
“I think every team in the National Football League would be accepting of a guy like Myles Garrett,” Kelce said on Wednesday, February 5. “Just a pro’s pro, a stand-up guy. He’s in the communities. I told him I appreciated him for everything he’s done for the Cleveland community before he mentioned that he wanted a trade, or wanted to get out of there. I just have so much love for him, man, he’s such a good guy. And on top of that, I think Cleveland deserves to have a product they can get really, really excited for. That’s a die-hard sports town that’s fiending for an opportunity to go crazy for football.”
Browns Could Garner Massive Trade Haul for Myles Garrett
The Browns have been adamant that they do not intend to trade Garrett, even for an offer of two first-round picks. However, general manager Andrew Berry saying that outright has also set a baseline for trade offers, which could have been part of a negotiation strategy.
Kelce is correct that Garrett, who will play next season at 30 years old, should garner interest from around the NFL, which should then drive his trade price up.
Bart Scott said on ESPN’s “Get Up” morning show on Wednesday that Garrett could command something close to the kind of trade packages that elite quarterbacks have gone for in the past. Were the franchise to actually trade Garrett, Cleveland would be indicating a clear intent to move into a rebuilding phase. As such, draft picks would be at a premium rather than win-now type of players.
Several NFL Teams Would Have Interest, Capability to Trade for Myles Garrett
Any potential trade partner will need both the draft capital necessary to fulfill the Browns’ desired return for Garrett — assuming, once again, that the team is actually willing to shop him — as well as the salary cap space to absorb Garrett’s current $125 million contract and extend him beyond the two years remaining on that deal.
One potential destination that meets all the criteria is the Chicago Bears. The Bears own both of their first-round picks in 2025 and 2026, as well as two early second-round selections this April.
A deal comprised of the aforementioned first-rounders and either pick No. 39 or pick No. 41 this year could be the type of godfather offer Cleveland simply can’t pass up.
Moving Garrett would also open the door to trading other expensive players who can bring back first-round value, such as three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward.
ESPN’s Ben Solak predicted in January that Cleveland will deal wither Ward or cornerback Greg Newsome II and should be able to get a first-rounder back in return. Solak noted the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, who each hold picks in the mid-20s, as fitting and likely landing spots for either defensive back.
