When the Cleveland Browns realized that their best player, Myles Garrett, had little to no interest in playing for them anymore, they made him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history. The Browns may have proved that money does talk. But now the defensive end must live with the deal’s consequences.
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The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year is now shackled for the next four years to a franchise that is closer to sainthood than playoff wins. Coming to grips with the likelihood that he will never realize his dreams of winning a Super Bowl.
While discussing Garrett’s future, Shannon Sharpe highlighted the pros and cons of the four-time All-Pro’s decision to cash out on his career. With an extension that includes $122.8m guaranteed and a total value of $204.8m, Sharpe believes that the DE’s decision ended up being about money rather than success in the game.
“How are you going to win now? You ain’t got no quarterback. You’re in the same position. The only difference that Myles Garrett is in now is that he’s got $123 million guaranteed,” said Sharpe on NightCap.
“That is the only thing that has changed. Nothing has changed toward them winning… Who are they going to win with?” He added.
In an attempt to defend Garrett, Sharpe’s co-host, Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson, highlighted that Cleveland was never willing to part ways with the six-time pro bowler to begin with. The Cincinnati Bengals legend was suggesting that he might as well have taken the money.
“We know how to get you to want to be here, we’re going to pay you… They weren’t letting him go anyways… You’re stuck between a rock and a hard place because they already said, ‘We’re not trading you.’ Management doesn’t want to lose the centerpiece of that defense,” explained Johnson.
Considering that Garrett was all smiles following the signing of his historic contract, Sharpe maintained that “it was always about the money.” Regardless of whether or not that’s true, Garrett certainly got the payday he deserved.
However, he was the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history for just 10 days. Triple crown winner Ja’Marr Chase saw his 2024 efforts rewarded by the Cincinnati Bengals to the tune of $161 million.
Chase acknowledged that “Myles set the bar”, adding that he has nothing but gratitude toward the pass rusher. The hint was that Garrett allowed Chase to earn figures that he would have otherwise never asked for.
“There was a lot going on at the time numbers-wise. Myles really helped me, because, you know, I’m not a greedy person, and I’m not selfish. I’m not going to overdo nothing,” said Chase.
When the Bengals and the Browns face each other in their AFC North tussle in 2025, fans can expect to see a rather friendly interaction between Chase and Garrett. A thank you before they take on the field, at the least!
