"It's not about money": Myles Garrett shares the reasons he requested trade from Cleveland Browns

Myles Garrett, the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, has recently requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns, expressing his desire to compete for a Super Bowl. In his statement, Garrett emphasized his love for Cleveland but highlighted his ambition to win on the biggest stages. "While I've loved calling this city my home, my desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won't allow me to be complacent. The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl," he said. As trade rumors intensify, Garrett addressed the situation on The Rich Eisen Show, offering deeper insight into his decision.

Cleveland Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett recently revealed the key factor behind his trade request: the team's dismal 3-14 finish in the 2023 season. Despite a remarkable eight-year career in Cleveland, which includes six Pro Bowl selections, four All-Pro honors, and the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year title, Garrett has only seen playoff action twice, with the most recent appearance being in 2023. Reflecting on the Browns' struggles, Garrett shared, "It came down to how the past season unfolded."

The team's worst finish since their winless 0-16 campaign in 2017, Garrett's rookie year, left him questioning his future with the franchise. During an appearance on Radio Row in New Orleans, he further elaborated on his decision in a conversation with The Rich Eisen Show.

"I have a lot of love for Cleveland, but it's always for me been about [competing] for championships, winning those big games and winning Lombardis," Garrett told Eisen. "We haven't had the opportunity to do that. That's all I'm asking for.
"It's never been about the Hall of Fame for me," Garrett said. "It's not about money or records. You're remembered for winning, bringing a trophy back home to your city, whichever city that is. That's how you're remembered in your community, by your peers, your teammates, your friends, all of that. We want to play the game, we want to do things to be remembered."
"I feel like the window for us as athletes is only so broad and only continues to close as years go by with anything being able to happen on that field from day to day," Garrett said. "I want to be able to go out there and compete at the highest levels, day in and day out, and play for championships, like I said."

Before making his public trade request, Myles Garrett turned to Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James for guidance. As the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Garrett sought insight from James, who famously left Cleveland in pursuit of a championship.
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Speaking on The Rich Eisen Show, Garrett explained, "I wanted to know from James what a transition looked like for him, what was his thought process going into it before he left Cleveland." LeBron, who left the Cavaliers twice in free agency, including his 2018 move to the Lakers, understood Garrett's situation and was ready to offer valuable advice.