CLEVELAND — As Myles Garrett prepares to add another achievement to his impressive career with a milestone sack against Cincinnati this Sunday, he has also raised serious concerns about the Cleveland Browns’ future. Just two days prior, Garrett expressed his desire to avoid another rebuilding phase and called for transparency regarding the organization’s plans for the offseason to turn things around.
For the first time, Garrett hinted he might consider leaving the Browns if his aspirations don’t align with the team’s direction. “It’s a possibility,” he acknowledged about the thought of playing elsewhere, but he made it clear that his preference is to continue wearing a Browns jersey. “I want to be a Cleveland Brown. I want to play my career here,” he stated.
The reception of Garrett’s remarks by owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam remains uncertain, especially as the Browns face a disappointing 3-12 record heading into the final stretch of a season that began with playoff hopes. This marks the worst performance since the team went winless in 2017.
Garrett, who reached 100 career sacks with a takedown of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during the team’s recent 24-6 defeat, may have intensified the scrutiny on the Haslams, who are already dealing with the pressing matter of the Deshaun Watson contract situation. Regardless, Garrett’s words carry significant weight due to his standing as the team’s top player, a potential Hall of Famer, and arguably the most formidable defensive player in the league today.
His actions on the field reflect his commitment; Garrett displayed remarkable determination by chasing Burrow down and tackling him before colliding with the bench and some portable heaters. While he faces frustration with the team’s performance, he is not resigning himself to defeat. Linebacker Jordan Hicks commented on Garrett’s resilience, emphasizing his character both as an athlete and as a person.
It remains to be seen if the Haslams will heed Garrett’s call. Current indications suggest the Browns may retain head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry, despite the glaring issues in recent drafts that have become more pronounced with every loss. Changes are expected, but the extent of those changes remains unclear, as well as whether they will align with Garrett’s expectations.
As Garrett approaches his 29th birthday on December 29 and looks ahead to two remaining years on his $125 million contract, he is adamant about not wanting to waste another season in a futile Super Bowl chase. His aim is clear: to secure a championship, whether with the Browns or another team.
The defense has shown potential, with Cleveland managing to contain one of the NFL’s elite offenses for the second consecutive week. Although Burrow threw for three touchdowns — marking his seventh straight game with that achievement — the Bengals were held to under 27 points for the first time in seven contests.
On the other hand, self-inflicted errors continue to plague the team, particularly in the form of turnovers. The Browns squandered an early opportunity at the Cincinnati 1-yard line when D’Onta Foreman fumbled, allowing the Bengals to capitalize and take an early 7-0 lead.
On a positive note, running back Jerome Ford has excelled with increased responsibility, racking up 131 all-purpose yards, including a 66-yard run right out of the gate and scoring the team’s only touchdown as Nick Chubb’s future with the team remains uncertain.
However, kicker Dustin Hopkins has been struggling, failing to make a crucial extra point attempt after a brief benching to address his inconsistency. He has converted only 16 of 25 field goals and 16 of 19 extra points, raising concerns over the decision to sign him to a three-year contract extension.
Injury woes continue for the Browns, with quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s calf injury casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming game. If he cannot play, the team might turn to Jameis Winston, who is also managing an injury. Tight end David Njoku faces another injury concern, having hurt his knee during the game, and an MRI will determine the severity of his condition.
In terms of statistics, the Browns’ defense now has 20 interceptions for the season, with Thompson-Robinson contributing two additional picks in the recent game.
The Browns are set to host the Miami Dolphins for their final home game, likely in front of a sparsely populated stadium, as the Dolphins vie for a wild-card playoff position.
