The Washington Commanders were among those being strongly linked with an all-in trade for All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett. A new report suggests the Cleveland Browns' attempts to throw money at the problem in pursuit of keeping the player happy have fallen on deaf ears.
Garrett is meeting with the Browns this week at the NFL Scouting Combine. He's unhappy with the current situation and doesn't want to waste his remaining good years on a non-contending team. His official trade request sent shockwaves through the league, although Browns' general manager Andrew Berry has no intention of parting ways with his best player regardless of position.
It's a precarious situation, but the fact Garrett is going to hear Cleveland's brass out means the door isn't entirely closed just yet. The Commanders and countless others will be keeping a keen eye on developments, ready to strike if the Browns become more receptive to offers.
Myles Garrett's contract stance provides window of opportunity for Commanders
Mary Kay Cabot from Cleveland.com revealed that the Browns could make Garrett an offer he cannot refuse financially. The reporter revealed that this might be in the region of $40 million per season, making him the NFL's highest-paid defender.
"He’s also open to signing him to a blockbuster extension which would likely make him the highest paid defensive player in the NFL at about $40 million a year."Mary Kay Cabot
That reeks of desperation, especially considering Garrett's already stated this is not about the money. Unless the Browns have a plan good enough to keep pace in the ultra-competitive AFC North, no money in the world is going to change his mind.
Whether the Commanders want to mortgage their future for Garrett is another matter. The benefits of acquiring him are obvious, but this is going to cost two first-round picks and more to get something worked out if the edge rusher reaches the point of no return with his current employers.
Peters will assess the risk versus reward and account for how much damage (if any) this would do to Washington's hopes of building a perennial contender. With the cap space to absorb Garrett's contract and their Super Bowl window officially open, this is the game-changing addition that could help tip the scales.
If the Browns cannot convince Garrett and he remains adamant a move away is the best thing for his career, there's nothing they can do. Keeping him around is only going to cause further friction and won't reflect well on the organization.
That seems to be the case, as Cabot also revealed via sources that Garrett isn't interested in signing a new extension.
Keeping tabs on the situation is the preferred approach from Peters' perspective. Acquiring Garrett might not fit into his timeline, but plans change. One only has to look at the Commanders' bold trade to acquire Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore before the 2024 deadline as proof of that.
Players like Garrett are extremely rare. He's dominant, durable, and leads from the front. He's a future first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the league's most prolific players. The Commanders have to shoot their shot.
The upcoming meeting between Garrett and the Browns is make or break in no uncertain terms. But the signs are not entirely promising after talk of an extension fell by the wayside.
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