At the start of the season, there was optimism in Cleveland that the Browns could compete for a playoff spot and challenge the Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North title. However, quarterback Deshaun Watson had a disastrous season before landing on the injured list (Achilles), and the team has fallen to the bottom of the division. The Browns head into their Week 16 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals with a 3-11 record.
The team’s performance has been deeply disappointing, with head coach Kevin Stefanski and key players enduring a challenging year. Defensive end Myles Garrett, who has been the Browns’ standout player throughout his eight seasons, continues to excel despite the struggles. One of the NFL’s premier pass rushers, Garrett has recorded 11.0 sacks this season with three games remaining and has achieved double-digit sacks every year except his rookie season in 2017, when he totaled 7.0.
Garrett remains committed to the Browns but only if the team demonstrates a clear plan to become legitimate Super Bowl contenders. He is unwilling to be part of another rebuilding effort and expects the organization to present a detailed strategy for success at the end of the season.
“First of all, I want to win,” Garrett stated. “I want the Browns to position us for success. After the season, I need to see that plan.”
He emphasized the importance of aligning a strong defense with time-of-possession control and an effective running game. Garrett, the 28-year-old former No. 1 overall draft pick in 2017, has two years left on his five-year, $125 million contract, which runs through the 2026 season.
The Browns have made the playoffs twice during Garrett’s tenure, including an 11-5 campaign last year that seemed to signal upward momentum. However, a disastrous start this season, with six losses in their first seven games, derailed their hopes, leaving Garrett and the team searching for answers.
