In the 2024 season, the 49ers signed LB De’Vondre Campbell. He started in 12 of 13 games. But when Dre Greenlaw returned, they put him on reserves. Campbell kept quiet, suppressing his anger like a non-active volcano. Later, in the week 15 game, when Kyle Shanahan told him to play, he blasted, refusing to play and left for the locker room. The entire NFL world lambasted him for quitting on his teammates. Wait, hold on! That’s the worst-case scenario. Myles Garrett, a prized possession, has been with the Browns for 8 years. Though he hasn’t hoped teams each year like Campbell, the danger is still lurking.

According to former NFL GM Andrew Brandt, the team was frustrating their DE, who wants out. During his appearance on the February 28 episode of The Rich Eisen Show, he commented, “I’m sorry their best player is having trouble, wants to get out. I think they’re going to try to keep him until it becomes a problem. The way we’ve seen players sort of get out is not hold out but hold in. So would Myles Garrett. It doesn’t seem like he’s this type. But would he show up in August and be a pain in the you know what and until and unless he’s moved somewhere else.” That looks like a disaster in the making.

His comments came after reports of the 2023 DPOY rejecting an extension offer from their GM, Andrew Berry. The Browns face two difficult situations. The first is the quarterback situation with Deshaun Watson. They have to pay him $92 million in guaranteed money.

Second is this back-and-forth with their DE Myles Garrett. Before Super Bowl LIX, the DE had high hopes for the franchise. But after the Eagles decimated the Chiefs, he also has high hopes of winning a Super Bowl with any other strong contender. However, the Browns don’t fit in that category.

Current GM Andrew Berry made it clear that he would not let the player leave. The front office met with Garrett’s agents in Indianapolis for negotiations. But Berry immediately rejected their offer. If this situation moves into back-and-forth arguments, there could be wider implications. The Browns need to find a way out.

Browns’ future without Myles Garrett

There are two options for the Browns to prepare for the future without the DE. The first is to draft a suitable replacement. PFF’s Jordan Plocher predicted a few days back that the Browns would go for Penn State DE Abdul Carter. A 92.3 PFF pass-rushing grade in 2024 with 13 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and 43 hurries on 352 pass-rushing snaps places him in the potential NFL star category.

The other one is to trade him and draft in free agency before the situation gets uglier. The Eagles are trying to trade their LB Josh Sweat, while the Lions are trying to keep their DE Josh Paschal in the lineup. To fill the void of Myles Garrett, they would also need to poach some other player.

Until GM Andrew Berry makes up his mind to do so, the situation could take any turn. They first need to sit down on the way forward. Now that he has rejected the extension offer, the trade offer could hit the market anytime. Brace yourselves for the incoming changes.