In a blockbuster trade that stunned the NFL world, Cleveland Browns superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett was traded to the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday evening in return for pass rusher Jared Verse and three draft picks, including a 2027 first-round pick.
The trade seemingly came out of nowhere, as Browns general manager Andrew Berry admitted that it was not something he had on his “bingo card” heading into the offseason. And despite requesting a trade from the team back in 2024, it sounds like the news came a little bittersweet to Garrett, who has played his entire career in Cleveland.
Garrett Reacts to Trade
As news of the trade made the rounds on social media, Garrett took to social media, where he broke his silence on the trade by offering a sincere goodbye to the Browns.
“Nine years,” Garrett wrote in a post shared on X. “It’s hard to put into words what that really means when so much of your life has been shaped in one place, around one team, and with one community behind you.
“From my very first play, you embraced me, and I wanted to help bring winning back to a city whose loyalty, resilience, and belief never wavered. What I didn’t fully understand then was how much this city would shape me.
“Cleveland made me tougher. You challenged me. You taught me about perseverance, about showing up even when things aren’t easy, and what loyalty really looks like. Through the highs, lows, setbacks, injuries, expectations, inclement weather, and difficult seasons, you all kept showing up. I never took that for granted.”
‘I Wish I Could Have Done More’
Garrett’s message seemed to acknowledge a sad truth: he never quite accomplished what he wanted during his time with the Browns.
During his career, the Browns made it to the postseason just twice, posting a 1-2 record with the lone win coming against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round in 2020. Garrett admitted that this is not the way he wanted his career to go, and he wished he could have accomplished more.
“To the Dawg Pound: Thank you for embracing my family and [me] from Day 1. Thank you for every packed stadium, every moment of belief, every kid wearing my jersey, every message, every criticism, every expectation. I respected that then and I respect it now. I wish I could have done more for you,” Garrett said.
“To the Haslam family, my teammates, coaches, training staff, front office, and everyone inside the building in Berea: Thank you. Football is the ultimate team sport, and I’ll always be grateful for the brothers I went to battle with and the people behind the scenes who pour themselves into this organization every single day.
“To Northeast Ohio: Thank you for allowing me to be part of this community beyond football. Through school visits, foundation work, events, and simply living life here, I saw firsthand the heart of this place. No matter where life or football takes me, this will always be a place I’m proud to call home.”
‘I Gave This City Everything I Had’
While Garrett may have requested a trade from the team in 2024 and is now leaving for presumably greener pastures now, that doesn’t mean he didn’t enjoy his time in Cleveland or work hard for the fans.
“What I can say with complete honesty is this: I gave this city everything I had. I suited up and wore those colors with pride, and I don’t regret a second of being part of this storied franchise. Every Sunday. Every offseason. Every play. Every down. Every moment. You gave me more in return than I can ever repay,” Garrett wrote.
And even though he’s now leaving, Garrett still wishes the best for the Browns.
“The best days for this franchise are ahead. Thank you for letting me grow here. Thank you for believing in me,” he said. “Loving you is easy. Leaving you is the hard part.”
“Thank you for nine unforgettable years,” he concluded.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.