The Cleveland Browns have three games left before officially ending another disappointing season.
Star pass rusher Myles Garrett appears open to continuing his career in Cleveland, although his time with the franchise could come to an abrupt end if the front office decides that taking a rebuilding approach is in the team’s best interest.
The Browns enter Week 16 with just three wins and are in last place in the AFC North division. Cleveland had to deal with uneven play from quarterback Deshaun Watson before suffering a season-ending injury in October. The lack of production from the quarterback position seemed to directly impact the Browns’ hopes of having a winning season.
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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett speaks during a news conference after the Saints game in New Orleans on Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
The rupture of his right Achilles tendon marked the second consecutive year that Watson’s season was cut short due to injury. The three-time Pro Bowler injured his shoulder last season in a Week 10 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
RAVENS BEAT STEELERS TO KEEP AFC NORTH RACE OPEN
The Browns enter Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals knowing they won’t make the playoffs. Being out of postseason contention isn’t something Garrett is particularly excited about. The defensive lineman also made it clear that he was not interested in being part of a rebuild at this point in his career.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett celebrates after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields on Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
“Well, for me, the first thing I want to say is I want to win. I want the Browns to be able to put me and us in a position to win,” Garrett told reporters. “I’m not trying to rebuild. I’m trying to win right now. I want that to be evident, when the season is over and we have those discussions, I want you to be able to illuminate that for me, illustrate that for me. “I, so that may be something that I can see in the near future because that’s all we want to do.
Garrett was also asked if he would consider playing for another NFL franchise if the Browns’ approach in the near future doesn’t align with his.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett answers questions after the Dallas Cowboys game in Cleveland on Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
“I mean, it’s a possibility, but I want to be a Cleveland Brown,” he said. “I want to play here, make my career here. But if we choose to rebuild and there are two, three, four years left, I want to be able to compete and play at a high level, play meaningful games and play after January.”
Garrett has two more seasons left on his contract with the Browns, but could decide to pursue a trade at some point during or before the 2026 season. Garrett was the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and has amassed an impressive 99.5 sacks so far during his outstanding career.
If the Browns want to improve their chances of winning in 2025 and beyond, the team’s decision makers will have to find a solution at the quarterback position.
After Sunday’s matchup with the Bengals, the Browns close out the regular season with games against the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens.
