Myles Garrett's Absence from Browns' Offseason Program Explained by HC, How Much Will Move Cost DE?

Cleveland Browns star edge rusher Myles Garrett skipped the start of the team's offseason program this week, but his new head coach isn't sweating his absence.

While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Browns first-year head coach Todd Monken emphasized that this week's workouts are voluntary and declared, "Myles will be ready. I'm not worried about Myles."

It will still be costly for the player, as Garrett is set to lose a potential $1 million workout bonus by skipping the program, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The contract requires him to take part in "84.375 percent of the offseason workout sessions, participate in all minicamps, participate in all OTA days" in order to earn the bonus, per Florio.

Garrett is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and the new record-holder for the most sacks in a single season. While his preparation for an upcoming season has never been a question, it would've been a sign of good faith if he attended offseason workouts while Cleveland tries to usher in a new era under Monken, who is in his first career head coaching job after serving as offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens over the past three seasons.

Still, Monken stressed that he feels the players have the right to decide on their status for the voluntary portion of the offseason program.

"I've said before, this is voluntary for our players to be here. I think if you asked every coach in the NFL, would they like every player to be there, of course. I think there's certain parts of what we do from a connection standpoint that I think is important to be here. From a schematic standpoint. From a work standpoint, not so much," Monken told reporters. "And it is our job to make it where the guys want to be here. Not just by the job, but by their development, by the camaraderie, being part of a team. Hell, I've been part of a team since I was five years old, there's nothing like it. I wouldn't miss it, because that's me, that's how I'm wired. But, it is voluntary."

It's clear that Garrett's absence isn't cause for concern at the moment, and Monken is keeping the faith that he will have his defensive leader on the field when mandatory workouts begin.