The Cleveland Browns hired their new head coach, Todd Monken, over four months ago. Yet, he hasn’t met an important player: Myles Garrett. The star defensive end did have an opportunity to meet him when he flew to Ohio, but the silence from his end is increasingly concerning.

Sports commentator Rich Eisen has listed this Browns’ situation as a pressing, unanswered question remaining in the league heading into the summer. 

“No. 2 of the NFL burning questions still remaining is: What is up with Myles Garrett in Cleveland? We pushed a payment to him deep into the summer. There’s nothing to see here. He still hasn’t met with the new head coach yet,” he said, as reported by Browns Nation on May 24.

The said payment is the “modified language” that Garrett and the Browns agreed to in late March this year. According to ESPN, it was officialized on March 24. Before this change, Garrett’s contract “called” for his option bonuses in the 2026, 2027, and 2028 league years to be exercised by the 15th day of each year. 

That way, March 25 is the 15th day of the 2026 league year. However, because of the amended terms, that date is pushed back to seven days before the regular season each year.

Additionally, Garrett moved the $8 million of his base salary in 2029 and 2030 into roster bonuses early in each league year. 

These changes created flexibility in the Browns’ cap space, but it is not a routine transaction. Garrett had requested a trade in the 2025 off-season, and after this financial arrangement made headlines, general manager Andrew Berry stated that Garrett is a “career Brown.”

However, Garrett, the 30-year-old reigning Defensive Player of the Year, has made little to no noise this offseason as the Browns have undergone some significant changes.

He was absent from the voluntary minicamp, which was routine for him, and only kept in touch with Monken via texts. However, Monken and Garrett are set to meet in the mandatory training.

What Myles Garrett's Further Absence Means For Him And The Browns

Star defensive end Myles Garrett and other Cleveland Browns veterans like CB Denzel Ward and S Grant Delpit have opted out of the voluntary training session so far. Moreover, Garrett is yet to meet his new head coach, Todd Monken. 

His presence in the upcoming mandatory minicamp would fix that.

“That changes on June 9th with mandatory camp, when fines and a whole lot of discussion and rumors would spark up if any veterans, especially the big-name defenders, decide to skip,” Jared Muller wrote in his May 24 article. 

Garrett’s absence in this minicamp also has financial implications.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that the defensive end’s contract includes a $1 million workout bonus for 2026. He would earn that by attending at least 84.375 percent of offseason sessions, all minicamps, all OTA days, and reporting on time. 

Whether Garrett, who signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension, shows up to the minicamp, and on time, remains to be seen. What are your thoughts? 

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar