For the second straight offseason, the NFL rumor mill is churning out a scenario that would send shockwaves through the league: a trade involving Cleveland Browns defensive powerhouse Myles Garrett. Despite coming off a historic, Defensive Player of the Year campaign, his name is back in speculative talks, this time fueled by a provocative suggestion from a former front-office executive.
A Record-Setting Season Ignites... Trade Talk?
Myles Garrett isn't just a good player; he's a generational force. Last season, he terrorized quarterbacks to the tune of a single-season record 23 sacks, adding 60 tackles, 39 QB hits, and three forced fumbles. He is the unequivocal centerpiece of the Browns' defense and is signed through the 2030 season. Yet, on ESPN's 'Get Up,' former New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum floated a blockbuster idea. He proposed the Browns trade Garrett to the Detroit Lions for two first-round draft picks and speedy wide receiver Jameson Williams.
"You need so many weapons, you have so many holes to fill," Tannenbaum argued, positioning the move as the start of a "massive rebuild" for Cleveland.
Fan Reaction: A Resounding 'No Chance'
The proposal was met with immediate and widespread derision from the Browns' passionate fan base. Social media lit up with sarcasm and cold, hard financial facts. One fan mocked, "The Browns cannot refuse this imaginary offer. Listen to me because I was such a successful GM. Pay no attention to the dead cap it will cause this year." Another bluntly stated the price would need to be "3 plus first round picks" to even consider the catastrophic cap implications.
Others expressed sheer fatigue with the annual cycle of Garrett rumors. "Maxx Crosby stuff ain't working so pivot back to Myles Garrett....rinse, repeat, every off season," wrote one user, while another simply commanded, "Browns aren't trading him stop wasting air time on it."
The Financial Reality That Crushes the Dream
The fan skepticism is rooted in undeniable fiscal reality. Trading a player of Garrett's caliber with a recently restructured contract creates a salary cap nightmare. If the Browns were to trade him before June 1, they would incur a staggering $40.818 million in dead money, actually losing cap space in the process. A post-June 1 designation would spread the pain but not eliminate it, leaving the team in a dire financial position for years.
From a pure football and business standpoint, a trade makes zero sense. Garrett is playing at an MVP level on defense, and dealing him would signal a surrender that would devastate a loyal fanbase. The Browns have invested heavily in building a contender, and removing its best player contradicts every competitive instinct.
While the NFL's new league year begins on March 11, opening the official door for transactions, any substantive chatter about Garrett's future in Cleveland remains just that—chatter. The combination of his on-field dominance, contractual structure, and symbolic importance to the franchise makes him arguably the most untouchable player in the entire league. Tannenbaum's trade scenario is a fun thought experiment for talk shows, but in the real world, Myles Garrett isn't going anywhere.
