Earlier Monday, Myles Garrett, the star pass rusher for the Cleveland Browns, expressed his desire to be traded from Cleveland. He mentioned the desire for a Super Bowl win as the main reason for the request. Ouch… apologies, Browns fans, your own players don’t believe you’re near that desired Super Bowl appearance. Though many franchises are likely thrilled about the chance to acquire Garrett, there must be one team that feels more exasperated than the others.
“My affection for the Northeast Ohio community and the amazing supporters of the Cleveland Browns has resulted in this being one of the most challenging choices of my life.” “Over the last eight years, I have become the man I am today,” Garrett stated. “The aim was never to travel from Cleveland to Canton; it has consistently been to strive for and secure a Super Bowl…Considering that, I have asked to be traded from the Cleveland Browns.”
With all that considered, the return for Garrett may not reach the level the Browns desire. It would have benefited both the Browns and the Detroit Lions if Garrett had revealed his intentions prior to the NFL trade deadline.
The Detroit Lions definitely could have benefited from having a player like Myles Garrett in the final games.
Allow me to bring you back to October 13th. The Detroit Lions were unbeaten and seemed to possess the top offense and defense in the league. Aidan Hutchinson appeared to be a strong contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award, boasting a league-high 7.5 sacks, as the Lions headed toward a decisive win in Jerry’s World. After that, everything transforms.
Hutchinson suffered a horrific injury, fracturing both his tibia and fibula. It was a clear season-ending injury; nonetheless, he promised he would come back for a Lion’s Super Bowl.
The Lions continued to thrive leading to the postseason with a franchise-record 14 victories, but it was evident they were struggling due to Hutchinson’s absence. They sought a solution prior to the trade deadline, even bringing in Garrett’s ex-teammate Za’Darius Smith, but failed to locate a suitable substitute for Hutchinson.
The Lions ended up losing to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round, primarily due to a deficiency in pass rush.
The point is, if Garrett had asked for a trade during the season in pursuit of a Super Bowl win, the Lions likely would have traded for him, and we’d have a different narrative today. Other competitors would have eagerly sought to include the former top overall choice in their team.
Instead, all the Lions can ask is ‘what gives’?