After he posted a formal trade request on Monday, Myles Garrett sat down for an interview with ESPN’s Mina Kimes discussing what led him to demand a trade and what qualities he is looking for on his next team.
In his official statement, the 8-year Cleveland Brown cited the desire for a Super Bowl as the driving factor behind his request. He reiterated his emphasis on winning when Kimes asked him to describe the type of team that would offer his “ideal situation.”
With the Browns claiming zero interest in parting with their star defensive end, Garrett does not look like a realistic target. But, at least to fuel the fantasy–or if something changes down the road–do the Green Bay Packers fit his parameters for a potential landing spot?
Myles Garrett Wants a Reliable QB, Something He Hasn’t Had with Cleveland Browns But Would with Green Bay Packers
Without a no-trade clause, Garrett ultimately has no control over where he goes or whether he is moved at all. Nonetheless, as a superstar, he can exert some organic influence if he wants to. At the moment, there does not appear to be blood between the 6-time Pro Bowler and the franchise or fanbase. If the Browns change their minds and grant him his request, it would only be fair, given how much he has contributed to the franchise, to send him somewhere he can tolerate.
“Someone who’s in position to contend, soon or right away,” Garrett said of his optimal location. Somewhere “I could come in and play my brand of football. I don’t want to change up my game too much.”
Part of Cleveland’s woes, even in 2023 when they made the playoffs, has been the revolving door at quarterback. Last season, they started four different passers: Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Jameis Winston. None of them performed well.
Acknowledging the situation, Kimes asked Garrett if he prefers an established QB:
Absolutely. With any playoff team or any championship team, they’re going to have a good quarterback. You’ve seen some game managers go out there with a great defense and win it all, but if you want to consistently be at the top you have to have a really good quarterback. That’s hopefully where I find myself.
He would also be excited to join a successful up-and-comer like the Commanders’ Jayden Daniels, who led his team to the NFC Championship Game. Garrett praised the rookie for being “very composed throughout the entire season,” saying he believes Daniels will continue to grow under the mentorship of Washington’s staff.
Excluded from Frontrunners, Packers Aren’t Out of the Running Either
Green Bay can boast a capable QB in Jordan Love, whatever his flaws and areas for improvement. In each of his two seasons as the starter, he has recorded a 96 passer rating and led his team to the postseason. The Packers check both boxes, contender and quarterback, but they are not among the franchises most frequently linked to Garrett.
According to Kimes, he is most often photoshopped in a Commanders jersey by speculative fans, followed by the Lions, 49ers, Eagles, and Bills.
Said Garrett, “Don’t get me wrong, those are all great destinations, but I’m not going to stick too closely to any one or the other because, you know, it’s not in my hands.”
Any future move will revolve around a bidding war among palatable destinations, with Garrett going to whoever offers the biggest haul in return. Per Adam Schefter, Cleveland currently has no interest in a trade involving even two first round picks.
As far as defensive scheme: “I’d definitely prefer to stay in a 4-3. If I have to stand up I’ll do it. It’s something I haven’t been asked to do, but it’s something I’ve done in practice, something I’ve worked on, and I feel like I’m comfortable just about anywhere.”
Last season under first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Packers switched from Joe Barry’s 3-4 format to Garrett’s preferred 4-3. Another box–check.
Happily Ever After?
Going all-in on Garrett seems like an unrealistic strategy right now if the Browns are truly adamant about keeping him. For those holding out hope, however, he did offer a caveat.
If the franchise refuses to trade him, he said, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. That’s so far out in the future, it’s hard to say. Things can change overnight. We saw that with Luka and Ad.”
Garrett said he wants to remembered “a winner,” “one of the very best to ever do it.” As the all-time wins leader and a perennial playoff team, Green Bay offers a franchise with a pedigree of success. “I can take someone over the hump,” the likely Hall of Famer claimed. If somehow he ends up playing home games in Lambeau, it isn’t hard to imagine him doing just that.
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