Is Myles Garrett wasting his career in Cleveland? One former NFL star believes so, and it all comes down to one missing piece of hardware. Marcus Spears argued that Garrett's loyalty to the Browns is a massive mistake.

In Tuesday’s episode of the Rich Eisen Show, host Eisen asked his guest, Marcus Spears, a former defensive end, if Garrett “should’ve stuck to his ‘I don’t want to play for Cleveland anymore’ stance.” 

Spears, who now hosts the Swagu podcast, said: “I think he should’ve. I think he should’ve kept his stance, ‘I don’t wanna play for Cleveland.’ Because Rich, it comes to a point, what else can Myles Garrett give the Cleveland Browns? What else can he possibly do in order to help this team win games than what he’s done already?” 

Ever since he was drafted in 2018, Garrett has led the Browns’ defensive unit and been the central force in the league’s best defense. Out of 412 tackles, the edge rusher made 293 solo tackles with 123.5 sacks. And he's turned this team into a top-3 defensive side.

That's why last year, he came close to leaving the team, making a public request to be traded. His reason was to play for a team that could eventually win the Super Bowl. However, the Browns convinced him to stay, even rewarding him with a $160 million extension.

And in 2025, he set the new record for most sacks by a player in a season with 23.5 sacks. The total surpassed the previous record held by Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.

And Yet, the Browns Persist in Letting Him Down

The franchise has remained at the bottom of the charts and given its worst performances in the past two seasons. With a 4-13 record in 2024, the Browns ended up with a 5-12 record, and 4th in the AFC North in 2025. 

Spears argued the Browns owe Garrett a better team and a legitimate chance to compete for a Super Bowl.

He further pointed out Garrett’s division rivals, who have been more successful because of their teams. He said his career trajectory would’ve looked different and prompted different conversations. 

“That organisation has a responsibility to players like that. To try to position themselves to win championships. Myles Garrett would be in the conversation for being the best defensive player to ever play football if he played for a contender. Based on what he’s been doing at that position,” Spears declared. 

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar