In one of the more shocking developments in recent memory, $40 million per year convinced Myles Garrett to relent in his quest to be traded and instead stay in Cleveland for the long haul.
Perhaps it shouldn't have been so stunning. After all, no matter how a trade request is presented, it's never not about the money.
Garrett might have some fences to mend in Cleveland, though, especially after going on a rather aggressive media tour to express how badly he wanted to get out of town, irritating scores of Browns fans along the way. He won't extend an olive branch, but said Friday he intends to do so with his play on the field.
"No, I mean from Day 1, I've always said that I've wanted to bring a championship to northeast Ohio," Garrett said Friday. "So that didn't change my stance. I'm just gonna continue to turn those opinions around or reinforce those opinions by going out there and doing what I've always done: going out and making plays, being a great teammate, great leader and being the best person I can be on the field and off the field for the Cleveland Browns."
Prior to the news of Garrett's agreement to an extension with the Browns, it certainly didn't seem he and the team would find a way to compromise. Garrett's multiple media appearances, the rest of the league's incessant salivation at the thought of acquiring Garrett, and reports of owner Jimmy Haslam declining a meeting with his franchise's best player painted a dark picture for those hoping they'd work it out.
Some might say this could have been handled behind closed doors. Garrett felt differently and believes his public actions prompted their eventual deal.
"No," Garrett said when asked if he regretted going public with his request. "I think I had some frustration, and I feel like that helped us grow and have conversations that were difficult but needed to be had. That created a little more discourse, helped build some relationships and reaffirm them, and now I feel like we're in a better place. Now, we can move on and grow from there.
"Like I said, that media row run, that created more discourse with myself and management. That created conversations between myself and (general manager Andrew Berry), myself and Jimmy, up and down the chain. That kind of stuff became a main variable for this deal getting done, for these conversations down the road. I think the fans will see that my heart's in the right place. It's never been about money. It's always been about winning, and that's where my frustration lies."
As is the case in any sport, winning cures everything. It's what Garrett ultimately wants, and it sounds as if he believes it is once again possible in Cleveland after meeting with Berry, who was adamant during the NFL Scouting Combine he had zero interest in trading Garrett.
"Just leaning on A.B. and his expertise and knowing that he has a plan on what this team and this offense will look like going forward, he's gonna put the best offense possible out there," Garrett said. "He's gonna get a QB that we all continue to have faith in, and we're gonna go out and do our thing on defense."
The thinly veiled shot at the Browns' last big swing at quarterback is all but irrelevant at this point. The entire football world now acknowledges their acquisition of Deshaun Watson was an abject failure, perhaps the greatest in NFL history. Now, it's about recovering from such a mistake in time to capitalize on Garrett's all-world talent.
Now that he's under a lavish contract, Garrett guaranteed he'll keep delivering the latter on Sundays, criticism be damned.
"I don't tell fans anything. I go out there and prove it," Garrett said. "If it's about the money, then I can just pack it in and not go out there and give my best effort. But I plan to be the best person possible in this locker room, be the best leader possible, as well as dominating on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays.
"That kind of mindset remaining and being displayed on those days when not everyone's watching, that really shows you what it's all about. Giving everything for those kinds of wins and what I've done year in and year out, that really proves it to the fans. No amount of words will."
Browns fans will hope the same proves true for the rest of the roster -- and the front office.
