The Cleveland Browns are again facing big questions about their future. The team has struggled to stay consistent, and even strong individual performances have not changed that. Now, a fresh discussion has started around one of their biggest names, Myles Garrett.

NFL analyst Jason Lloyd from The Athletic discussed Myles Garrett’s situation and the possibility of an eventual trade.

"My stance hasn’t really changed," Lloyd wrote. "I don’t think they’re going to trade him, but I think they should. And I absolutely believe this restructure was to give them the flexibility to do so.”

Garrett recently agreed to adjust his contract, mainly changing when he would receive his bonus money. Instead of getting it early, the payment was pushed closer to the regular season. As per Browns’ GM Andrew Berry, this move was for cap flexibility, not necessarily to facilitate a trade. 

However, this has still raised questions. And Lloyd, for one, is curious as to why this needed to happen.

“One question no one has really answered: Why did Myles agree to this? Most guys like their money sooner rather than later, which is why players love the Browns’ strategy of turning base salary into signing bonuses."

Garrett had requested a trade during the 2025 offseason before signing an extension. That decision surprised many, and now this latest development has brought the topic back again.

All of this now shifts the focus to what the Browns might do next with one of their biggest players.

Myles Garrett Contract Change Keeps Trade Talk Alive

While nothing official has changed yet, the way Garrett’s deal was adjusted has added a new layer to the situation. It has made people look closely at the timing and what it could mean for the team’s next move. Another NFL Analyst for The Athletic, Zac Jackson, had this to say:

“It’s pretty obvious that the payment delay keeps the door open. Perhaps both sides agreed that going public last time didn’t benefit anyone. Maybe some all-in team told the Browns that a true Godfather offer was in the works.”

Whether this tweak is simple cap work or quietly keeps trade doors open is the real question. With Garrett skipping voluntary OTAs (and a $1M bonus), the Browns now have more flexibility if that ‘Godfather offer’ ever arrives.

For now, nothing is decided. But the situation is clearly open, and the next few months could play a big role in what happens next.

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Written by

Anjali Thakur

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi