The Cleveland Browns showed how serious they were in investing in Myles Garrett when they agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $160 million in new money. Garrett is coming off a 14-sack season in 2024.
At 29, he’s racked up 102.5 sacks in eight seasons and hasn’t had fewer than 10 sacks in a season since his rookie campaign in 2017.
Questions surfaced about Myles Garrett’s habits
Despite his productivity on the field, Garrett faced scrutiny for his off-field actions. Per a report in March by Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, Garrett has a history of breaking team rules.
“It’s well known within the Browns that Garrett is frequently late to the facility,” Lloyd wrote. “He has skipped mandatory team activities on multiple occasions. Veterans typically police the locker room on those types of things and create the culture of accountability, but here, it’s the best player breaking the rules. That has to change now.
“Elite performers earn more forgiveness than anyone. That’s true in any business. But there’s a certain level of responsibility that comes with a contract of this magnitude.”
The Cleveland Browns asked Garrett to change his ways
Browns co-owner Jimmy Haslam wants Garrett to assume a higher level of leadership following his contract extension this offseason, which makes him the highest-paid defensive end in the league.
Per Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, Haslam told reporters at the league annual meeting that he challenged Garrett to change his habits and actions.
“What we’ve challenged Myles on is, by his practice habits, by his actions, etc., to become a real leader of the team,” Haslam said.. “And he has said he’d do that and we’re hopeful that he will be.”
Garrett will be tested this season. He might plow into voluntary OTAs on the high of his contract extension, but how he responds to adversity in the regular season will be more telling as the Browns deal with the fallout of their disastrous decision to can Baker Mayfield and trade for Deshaun Watson.
How is Garrett going to respond if the Browns have a losing record in late November?
Another swing and miss?