The Browns notched a major offseason win on Sunday. They got star defensive end Myles Garrett locked in with a new extension that will keep him in Cleveland through 2030 while making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
But the only way that win doesn’t ultimately ring hollow is if the Browns can figure out their quarterback problem. Immediately.
Garrett said part of why he agreed to the deal was to get ahead of the start of free agency so he could help recruit others to Cleveland. The negotiation period of that begins at noon Monday.
Chasing down quarterbacks on the field is why Garrett’s being paid what he’s getting. He’s very good at doing that, as his unprecedented five consecutive seasons with 14-plus sacks and his 102.5 career sacks prove.
Garrett could make the most impressive play of his career if he can help the Browns get a quarterback who really does alter the franchise in a positive way. That’s the opportunity both he and the organization have this week.
The central point of Garrett’s December message to the Browns was he wanted to see a plan that led to contention. Central to the Browns getting into contention is them finding an answer to the eternal question for the franchise in the expansion era: Who’s the quarterback going to be?
There’s a lot of talk about that answer really coming in the draft. The problem with that is a draft class weak at the position, even taking into account the idea of Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders drawing varying degrees of interest near the top of the draft.
Ward appears to have come out of the combine with much more fanfare to land at the top of the draft. The Tennessee Titans, owners of the No. 1 overall pick, could make any interest in him moot by selecting him themselves, or by dealing the pick to another desperate team (*cough* Browns *cough*).
That’s one way to go about it, but that was likely the plan whether Garrett was part of the recruitment or not. Truth be told, other than potentially calming some nerves, how much “recruiting” is necessary for a draft?
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, left, shakes hands with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson after the Browns defeated the Steelers on Nov. 21, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.
No, where Garrett’s recruiting skills are needed is in free agency. The Browns aren’t viewed as the No. 1 destination for any of the quarterbacks on the market who could be passed off as a legitimate starter who could win games.
Not for Sam Darnold. Not for Russell Wilson. Not for Aaron Rodgers. Not even for Justin Fields or Daniel Jones.
Could Garrett sway one of those quarterbacks to turn their attention to the Browns? Could the thought of having one of the best pass rushers in a generation on their team be an added reason to believe?
Could Garrett’s pitch to them be as simple as, “Hey, (insert quarterback here). Would you be interesting in playing with me, or me chasing after you?”
Will it work? That remains to be seen.
It takes a lot more than just a recruiting pitch from a potential teammate to sway somebody. Money certainly does a lot of the talking as well.
It talked for Garrett on Sunday. Now, Garrett can put his own voice behind the biggest quarterback chase of his career — tracking down one who can help the Browns turn things around.
Chris Easterling can be reached at [email protected]. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Myles Garrett can help Browns chase down next QB: Chris Easterling
