The football realm experienced a moment of shock when it was announced that standout defensive player, Myles Garrett, had formally requested a transaction away from the Cleveland Browns. However, Garrett was unaware that circumstances had already positioned him favorably toward achieving his objective.
Information suggests that the Browns had entertained the idea of trading Garrett a week prior to his public declaration, as reported by a source within ESPN.
It’s said that Dallas had initiated informal contact with various teams to measure their interest in acquiring the 26-year-old athlete before his aspirations became widely known. The Browns allegedly aimed to transfer Garrett to a team within the NFC but, as reported, “failed to gain any significant momentum” in that direction, according to the source.
However, interest in Garrett emerged from within the AFC. Although the Pittsburgh Steelers ultimately succeeded in acquiring the prominent player — subsequently securing him with a substantial four-year agreement valued at $188 million — it was the Baltimore Ravens who presented the most enticing proposition to Cleveland. The Ravens were reportedly prepared to offer two first-round selections, a third-round selection, a fifth-round selection, and “additional considerations,” according to the informant.
Cleveland’s reluctance to trade Garrett within their division cleared the path for the Steelers to finalize the acquisition of the defensive specialist. The Steelers were reportedly involved in the bidding process for Garrett from the outset, distinguishing themselves from other teams by expressing a willingness to include T.J. Watt in a potential deal with the Browns.
The bond between Garrett and the Browns progressively declined as the offseason unfolded. Initially perceived as a conventional contract negotiation throughout much of the summer, tensions escalated following Garrett’s public declaration of his desire to be traded. At one point, Browns owner and general manager Jimmy Haslam embarked on an extensive media campaign, publicly criticizing Garrett and his representation at every chance.
With the commencement of the season fast approaching, the rapport appeared irreparably damaged, culminating in Garrett’s trade. While the sequence of events transpired with unexpected swiftness for those not directly involved, reports indicate that the Browns had been contemplating a trade for a more extended duration than initially presumed within the football community.
