The Cleveland Browns are reportedly considering a dramatic move to reshape their future by trading star defensive end Myles Garrett as part of a plan to secure an elite quarterback. This strategy comes as the team continues to grapple with the fallout of the Deshaun Watson contract, which has left the franchise in a financial bind and struggling to compete.
Watson, signed in 2022 to a fully guaranteed $230 million deal over five years, has played just 19 games, resulting in nine wins and significant off-field controversies. With two seasons remaining on his contract, Watson is set to earn $46 million annually and account for a $73 million salary cap hit per year, creating a major obstacle for the Browns. Many analysts believe Watson’s time as Cleveland’s quarterback is effectively over.
The Browns’ only viable way forward may involve a complete reset, starting with trading Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. According to Jason Lloyd of *The Athletic*, the team could deal Garrett for significant draft capital and endure a tough 2025 season, potentially setting themselves up to draft a franchise quarterback like Texas star Arch Manning in 2026.
Garrett, who has expressed his desire to play for a winning team, remains a top-tier talent, but as Lloyd notes, “The one thing he is not is a quarterback.” Trading him could provide the assets Cleveland needs to pivot toward a brighter future, even if it means sacrificing success in the short term.
While losing Garrett in his prime would be a massive blow, the move could position the Browns for a faster rebuild. It would also serve as a step toward rectifying what many view as one of the worst mistakes in franchise history: the Watson acquisition. Fixing that misstep won’t come easy, but it may be the Browns’ only way out of their current predicament.
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