Myles Garrett Reportedly Preferred Veteran QB for Browns Before Signing New Contract

Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett "preferred a veteran quarterback who could contribute" to the team after his February trade request cast doubt on his future in Northeast Ohio, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi.

Oyefusi reported the decorated edge-rusher knew Cleveland "wasn't in a position to spend lucratively and would likely also be bringing in a rookie quarterback."

"The two sides stayed in communication with the Browns keeping Garrett updated on their plans for the coming months," per the report.

Garrett agreed to what was a then-record-setting extension on March 9. Three days later, the Browns acquired Kenny Pickett in a trade. They then signed Joe Flacco in April.

In addressing his decision to re-sign with Cleveland rather than push harder for a trade, Garrett said the Browns "did what they were supposed to."

"Taking care of business, trying to keep the core group together, me, [offensive guard Joel Bitonio], and finding a quarterback, and with enough conversation, was able to get everyone back on board," he said, per Oyefusi.

If committing to a veteran quarterback was what it took to keep Garrett, then the strategy has already worked. In terms of the bigger picture, the Browns may not have moved forward all that much this offseason, though.

They sit 30th in Bleacher Report's NFL power rankings heading into Week 1. General manager Andrew Berry didn't have a lot of salary cap space available to strengthen the roster after a 3-14 finish in 2024.

Pickett, meanwhile, is already gone after a hamstring injury cost him valuable time in training camp and the preseason. Joe Flacco is the starter for now, and neither Dillon Gabriel nor Shedeur Sanders is a surefire long-term successor.

Looking ahead, the Browns' starting quarterback to open the 2026 season may not be anybody from that group.

By re-signing, Garrett seemed to signal he's willing to stick around through a reset this year in the hope a more permanent solution at QB emerges by next spring.