Myles Garrett: It’s never been about money, it’s always been about winning
Myles Garrett went public with his trade request right at the start of Super Bowl week and made it seem like he didn't want to play another down for the Browns.
But now he'll be in Cleveland for the foreseeable future after agreeing to a contract that will reportedly pay him an average of $40 million per year.
Garrett had a press conference on Friday to discuss the extension, telling reporters that the constant communication with General Manager Andrew Berry led him to get back on board with the franchise.
And given the result of the discussions, Garrett doesn’t regret requesting out.
“I think I had some frustration and I feel like that helped us grow and have conversations that were difficult, but needed to be had,” Garrett said. “And that created a little bit more discourse, helped build some relationships, and reaffirm them. And now I feel like we’re in a better place and now we can move on and grow from there.”
He also doesn’t regret the media tour he went on at radio row during the run-up to Super Bowl LIX.
“That created conversation between myself and AB, Jimmy [Haslam] — up and down the chain,” Garrett said. “And that kind of stuff became a main variable for this deal getting done, these conversations down the road. I think the fans will see that my heart is in the right place.
“It’s never been about money — it’s always been about winning. That’s where my frustration lies.”
With an unsettled quarterback situation, it doesn’t seem particularly likely that Cleveland is set to contend in 2025. So what happens if and when the club doesn’t have success?
“If there’s struggles, we go through it,” Garrett said. “We’ve went through struggles in the past. As long as we’re set on that being the goal, everyone’s main force has shown that it is, I continue to try to find a way to get the most out of my teammates, this organization. I feel like this isn’t just for me to be a player on the field. It’s for me to be a main focal point, an elevator for everyone in this building.”
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2017 draft, Garrett is entering his ninth season at the age of 29. His contract extension means he’s likely to end his career with Cleveland and he’s just fine with that.
“That’s always been my plan from the very beginning,” Garrett said. “I’ve wanted to stay with the team I was drafted with. I’ve always, like I said before, wanted to bring a championship here. So, that’s something that has meant a lot to me — even when I was coming up from high school to college, being that one-team guy, and having a place that feels like him. You ingrain yourself in the community.
“And the Canton part sounds great — players want to be in the Hall of Fame. That’s a tremendous individual award. But communities and cities remember championships and that’s what I want to do.”
Topics
-
Myles Garrett says he's happy to be back with Browns, that it's about winning and not money
Myles Garrett wants to see the Browns move towards being a contender.Yahoo Sports - 3h -
Myles Garrett says $40m-a-year deal with Browns about winning rather than money
Pass rusher signed record deal to stay in Cleveland Team have underperformed during Garrett’s tenure Myles Garrett has sacked 31 different quarterbacks during his eight-year NFL career. On ...The Guardian - 2h -
Garrett: Frustration with Browns 'about winning'
Myles Garrett, who recently signed a record-setting extension just weeks after publicly asking for a trade, says he and the Browns are in a "better place" and ready to "turn Cleveland into a winner."ESPN - 30m -
Browns avoid rebuild with Myles Garrett contract extension. Is it right decision? | Ulrich
Myles Garrett has no regrets about requesting a trade. Whether the Browns will regret extending him instead of rebuilding remains a question.Yahoo Sports - 3h -
Myles Garrett thinks Browns are in a better place after extension, discussions about team's future
Myles Garrett has sacked 31 different quarterbacks during his eight-year NFL career. On Friday, the four-time All-Pro edge rusher had to stand in his own pocket and take the pressure of fielding ...Yahoo Sports - 4h -
Report: Myles Garrett frequently shows up late, skips mandatory team events
The Browns spent a fortune to make defensive end Myles Garrett happy after Garrett requested a trade, but one report suggests that Garrett hasn't been the kind of presence in the locker room that ...Yahoo Sports - 4h -
Browns' Myles Garrett: No hard feelings after trade demand, contract extension
Myles Garrett spoke for the first time since agreeing to a new contract extension with the Browns, and reinforced his message that he wants to win.Yahoo Sports - 5h -
In his own words: Pope Francis has long been up front about his health problems and eventual death
Pope Francis has written and spoken at length about sickness, aging and deathABC News - 3d -
Sources: Browns, Garrett agree to record deal
The Browns and Myles Garrett agreed to a record contract extension that averages $40 million per year and includes $123.5 million in guaranteed money, sources told ESPN.ESPN - 4d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Cardinals sign WR Simi Fehoko to a one-year deal
The Cardinals signed wide receiver Simi Fehoko to a one-year deal, the team announced Friday.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
NL West season preview: Can anyone top the Dodgers? Will the Padres, Giants or D-backs reach the playoffs?
With the season-opening Tokyo Series just around the corner, let's take stock of the National League West.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Duke's Cooper Flagg out vs. UNC in ACC tournament semifinal after ankle sprain
Will the NBA's likely No. 1 pick be ready for March Madness?Yahoo Sports - 14m -
No. 1 Duke rules out Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown with injuries for ACC semifinal vs. UNC
Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown have been ruled out for No. 1 Duke's game against North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Friday night because of injuries. Both players were ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Can Steph Curry get to 5,000 3-pointers? The numbers say it's possible
Stephen Curry just hit 4,000 made 3-pointers for his career. Getting to 5,000 is possible.Yahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
Cardinals sign WR Simi Fehoko to a one-year deal
The Cardinals signed wide receiver Simi Fehoko to a one-year deal, the team announced Friday.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
NL West season preview: Can anyone top the Dodgers? Will the Padres, Giants or D-backs reach the playoffs?
With the season-opening Tokyo Series just around the corner, let's take stock of the National League West.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Duke's Cooper Flagg out vs. UNC in ACC tournament semifinal after ankle sprain
Will the NBA's likely No. 1 pick be ready for March Madness?Yahoo Sports - 14m -
No. 1 Duke rules out Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown with injuries for ACC semifinal vs. UNC
Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown have been ruled out for No. 1 Duke's game against North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Friday night because of injuries. Both players were ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Can Steph Curry get to 5,000 3-pointers? The numbers say it's possible
Stephen Curry just hit 4,000 made 3-pointers for his career. Getting to 5,000 is possible.Yahoo Sports - 17m