Myles Garrett just secured the bag. And not just any bag—a record-breaking, NFL-altering, “highest-paid non-quarterback in league history” kind of bag. Cleveland locked in their superstar pass rusher with a four-year extension averaging $40 million per season, guaranteeing him $123.5 million.

So, what does it really tell us? When money’s the name of the game, everyone folds. Remember Myles’ goodbye note basically reading: he doesn’t want his career to be from Cleveland to Canton. But wants the ring. Fast forward to now, the Browns aren’t just paying Garrett to rush the passer; they’re paying him to be the foundation of their defense.

However, here’s the real question: Who’s lining up alongside him? Enter Abdul Carter. The Penn State wrecking ball is on every team’s draft board, but the Browns seem to be making it personal. Carter has already made the rounds with the Giants, Patriots, and Titans, but Cleveland? They’re doing more than just scouting—they’re wining and dining.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, EVP JW Johnson, and GM Andrew Berry sat down for dinner with Carter and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, in State College. That’s not just a meeting; that’s a full-court press. And if you think this is just routine pre-draft homework, think again. This is a team mapping out their future.

Carter, widely viewed as a top-four prospect, is already making calculated moves. His draft visit list? Just four teams. That’s confidence. But the Browns might just be the most aggressive suitor. They’ve already hosted Carter at their facility earlier this month, making this dinner their second big sit-down.

If that doesn’t scream “serious interest,” what does? The timing is also suspiciously perfect—right before Penn State’s Pro Day. Carter didn’t participate due to a shoulder rehab, but that didn’t stop the Browns from showing up. Because they know, with Garrett locked in long-term, pairing him with Carter sounds like the kind of defensive nightmare that AFC quarterbacks don’t want to think about.

Speaking of nightmares, let’s give you a teaser into Carter: A 6’3″, 250-pound athletic freak, has drawn comparisons to Micah Parsons. His explosiveness, his versatility—he’s built for the modern NFL. If he falls to No. 2 and Cleveland pulls the trigger, that Browns pass rush would go from scary to straight-up illegal. Myles Garrett on one side, Abdul Carter on the other? Yeah! That’s game, set, and match. But Garrett doesn’t need a partner-in-crime, so to speak. He’s a lonewolf.

Myles Garrett’s staying and now calling the shots

After a roller-coaster offseason that saw Myles Garrett go from requesting a trade to re-upping with Cleveland, the Browns’ defensive anchor is now making his voice heard. And his message? The Browns need a quarterback. Not just any quarterback—a young one, someone who can learn, take hits, and grow.

“Any team that’s going to go far needs a quarterback,” Garrett said on Cleveland Browns Daily. He’s not wrong. But the real question—who’s he talking about?

Right now, Cleveland’s QB room consists of Kenny Pickett and a whole lot of uncertainty… Umm, I meant the injury-prone Deshaun Watson. And let’s be honest, Garrett probably isn’t talking about Pickett. He wants fresh blood.

Of course, there’s still some draft-day intrigue. The Titans, sitting with the first overall pick, could throw a wrench into Cleveland’s plans. If they pass on Miami QB Cam Ward, things could get wild. Cleveland could take their own swing at a quarterback—maybe Shedeur Sanders. It’s anyone’s guess at the moment.

But does Cleveland really go all-in on a quarterback at No. 2 when Abdul Carter—the defensive freak who could wreck offensive lines alongside Garrett—is right there? That’s the dilemma. And Garrett’s comments only add fuel to the fire.

Garrett knows what carrying a team feels like. Cleveland’s defense has been the backbone of this franchise for years, while the offense has struggled to figure itself out. “That’s not just for a young quarterback. That’s for veterans and guys who’ve been here for a while,” Garrett said. To put it simply, he said: No matter who’s under center, this defense has to carry the load. But he also knows that at some point, the Browns need a quarterback who doesn’t need bailing out.

But here’s the wild card—what if Cleveland goes defense at No. 2 and then grabs a quarterback later? Jalen Milroe? Jaxson Dart? It wouldn’t be the first time the Browns played the long game at QB. They could also make a move for a veteran like Kirk Cousins and push the rookie QB decision to later in the draft. Less pressure, more time to develop. Garrett might be advocating for a young QB, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Cleveland has to go all-in right away.