The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in a positional rivalry with the Cleveland Browns ever since the two organizations selected TJ Watt and Myles Garrett in the same draft back in 2017. Garrett was the first overall pick during that draft, while the Steelers selected Watt with the 30th overall selection. Both players have been two of the best edge rushers and overall defenders in the NFL since being brought into the league, which has added to the divisional rivalry in the AFC North.
Ron Schwane / AP Photo
Cleveland Browns edge rusher swings at quarterback Mason Rudolph with a helmet during a professional football game in Cleveland, OH.
Garrett and Watt have had similar stats since entering the league, but the statistical edge favors Watt. Watt's teams have also been more successful, although the Steelers have yet to win a playoff game during his tenure. Garrett and the Browns actually got past Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round of the 2020 NFL Playoffs. Cleveland took an embarrassing step backwards during the 2024 season however, and Garrett officially announced on Monday that he would be requesting a trade away from the organization.
Myles Garrett has requested a trade.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 3, 2025
His statement: pic.twitter.com/yx5Q9Exa0V
There was some speculation that this could happen when the 2024 season was coming to a close, but now it is official. Near the end of the 2024 regular season, Garrett spoke to the media and said that he wanted to get together with the decision-makers for the Browns and find out what their plan was moving forward in order for the team to actually have success. Clearly that did not go well, as he wants his future to be elsewhere.
David Richard / AP
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett rushes the passer during a game against the Indianapolis Colts in Cleveland.
Garrett won the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 2023 season, and now he could be on the move. He won the award in a controversial manner, as he trailed Watt in nearly every major statistical category. The rivalry between the two defenders will likely live on, but it will be interesting to see where Garrett ends up if he is traded. Cleveland has remained consistent in saying it does not plan to move the All-Pro defender.
Reporter to #Browns GM Andrew Berry last week: “If someone sees you at dinner and says, ‘We'll give you two ones for Myles, do you say I'm not interested?’”
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 3, 2025
Berry: "Correct. You can put that on the record." https://t.co/kjj3ecvGLY
This comment was made by the Browns' general manager before a trade request was submitted by Garrett, so things might change moving forward. This will surely be a long, drawn out process throughout the 2025 offseason, and many teams should be interested. It is more than likely that Garrett is traded to the NFC in a deal, as the Browns probably don't want to send him somewhere else within the conference.
USA Today
Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr. battles against Browns star Myles Garrett.
Steelers Could See The Browns Complete A Franchise-Altering Trade
Garrett is one of the best defenders in the NFL, and he should command a fairly large trade package. If the Browns decide to deal him, they should be getting at least two first-round picks, which could help a team a lot that has been struggling and is in a horrific cap situation. A trade to think about when considering Garrett's worth is the Khalil Mack trade from when he was sent to the Chicago Bears from the then-Oakland Raiders.
A potential trade comp: When 27-year-old Khalil Mack was traded from Oakland to Chicago, the Bears gave up two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick for Mack, a second-round pick, and a conditional fifth-round pick.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 3, 2025
The 29-year-old Myles Garrett, coming… https://t.co/BPPVMYJFbv
Mack garnered six picks in the deal, with four of them being on the first two days of the draft. The Browns should be able to get something similar in a deal, which may help the organization land its franchise quarterback or other important pieces. If a trade is completed and it works out for Cleveland, it would be hard not to wonder what would happen if Pittsburgh decided to deal Watt.
What do you think of Garrett requesting a trade? Let us know in the comments below!
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