Myles Garrett’s Trade Demand: Is There a Way Out for the Browns?
Defensive end Myles Garrett has expressed his desire to leave Cleveland, and he remains firm in his trade request. free games jili While Browns owner Jimmy Haslam may choose to stand his ground and deny Garrett’s wishes, there’s a potential strategy that could resolve two significant challenges with one solution.
The proposal could be framed as follows: “If you want Myles Garrett, you have to take Deshaun Watson.” This scenario would lead to an additional financial commitment of $92 million, where the acquiring team would not only gain Garrett but also be responsible for Watson’s remaining balance on his five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract. However, it’s crucial to note that Watson is unlikely to play in 2025 after recently undergoing surgery for a re-torn Achilles tendon.
This situation mirrors the Brock Osweiler deal that the Browns made seven years ago when they agreed to absorb $16 million in guaranteed salary and received a second-round pick in return. If a new team chooses to take Watson as part of a Garrett trade, the “Deshaun Tax” could diminish both the draft-pick compensation and the new team’s inclination to offer Garrett a contract comparable to the market rate thailand basketball league. However, if the Browns successfully create a competitive environment similar to what the Texans achieved three years ago—allowing four teams (the Browns, Panthers, Falcons, and Saints) to negotiate with Watson—they could leverage Watson’s hefty contract as part of the minimal asking price to gain permission for discussions regarding Garrett.
Would a contender be willing to take on Watson for the chance to acquire Garrett? These negotiations could potentially involve persuading the Browns to absorb a portion of the $92 million. Such a move would affect the draft picks and Garrett’s contract. However, if the initial discussion centers solely on Watson’s contract and the draft picks allocated to Cleveland, the finalists would then need to present their best financial proposals to Garrett.
Not many true contenders would be able to manage this deal. The Commanders have considerable cap space for 2025, and the Chargers are in a similar position. ph gmt The Vikings and Lions could also implement this strategy without facing significant constraints. The Vikings, for instance, might justify investing such a substantial amount in a quarterback who won’t play by referencing J.J. McCarthy’s rookie deal, which averages under $5.5 million per year.
Ultimately, a team on the brink of the Super Bowl would need to believe that Garrett is the crucial factor in transforming them from knocking on the door to breaking it down. This team would also have to convincingly frame the acceptance of the often-criticized Watson as a sound business decision. It’s conceivable that the team acquiring the Garrett-Watson package might need to release Watson immediately after finalizing the trade.
It’s important to recognize that Watson holds a no-trade clause. However, if this deal secures his payment, allows him to leave Cleveland, and potentially leads him to free agency in 2026, he might very well consider it.
Regardless of the outcome, this unconventional approach could be what’s required to successfully extract Garrett from the Browns ph 365vip. But, for this to happen, the Browns must be prepared to part ways with Garrett and ultimately confront the reality that the trade for Watson in 2022 was among the most regrettable in the salary-cap era—and possibly the worst transaction in NFL history.
Do you think this strategy could ultimately benefit both teams involved in a Garrett trade?