Myles Garrett Just Gave Up On Browns — Why Trade To Bears Is Suddenly In Play

The Cleveland Browns always seem to find a way to make a bad situation worse. That was on full display this week. Everybody knew they’d already fired Kevin Stefanski as head coach, who was quickly given the same job with the Atlanta Falcons. The organization conducted a search with a baffling process that included the requirement to keep Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator, as well as completing essays and homework in interviews. Unsurprisingly, candidates backed out. Then, when the Browns finally chose their guy, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Schwartz was so angry he told people close to him he wasn’t staying. You can imagine that didn’t go over well with superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett.

Sure enough, the future Hall of Famer put up a post on Instagram that summed everything up. It was a not-so-subtle hint that he’s reached the end of his patience with the Browns.

There has always been speculation that Garrett would demand a trade from Cleveland if the team mishandled the process. Sure enough, they did exactly that. If the door wasn’t open before, it is now. Don’t forget the Chicago Bears already checked in on Garrett’s availability last year. You can bet they will try again. He would be the missing ingredient to making their defense a force.

Myles Garrett is a rare specimen worth the price.

This is an all-time talent. Though 30 years old, history says players of his caliber can dominate well into their 30s. We’re talking another five or six seasons of peak production. Is that worth the likely two 1st round picks it would take to get him? This is the question the Bears must weigh carefully. Do they think Garrett is good enough to push this team over the top? They know they have a top 10 offense in place. Getting the defense to even top 15 status should make them legitimate contenders in the NFC.

It is a spot the team has been in before. They went all in when trading for Khalil Mack in 2018. It paid immediate dividends that year, but the Bears never fully capitalized on his presence. Myles Garrett is a better player, but also older than Mack was. The key difference this time is the quarterback situation. Caleb Williams is a significant upgrade over Mitch Trubisky. That should keep the Bears in an extended window to contend long enough to survive losing those picks.