Report: Jimmy Haslam Declined Myles Garrett’s Request to Meet with Browns Owner

CLEVELAND — The tension between the Cleveland Browns and Myles Garrett has escalated. 

As per a report by Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Garrett has recently asked for a meeting with owner Jimmy Haslam. However, Haslam supposedly rejected the request and did not engage in a conversation with Garrett.

With the Browns refusing to entertain trade talks, sources told Pelissero that Garrett is prepared to sit out games if his request isn’t granted.

Garrett, a past recipient of the Defensive Player of the Year award, has been a notable figure in the Browns’ defense for eight years. Despite his longstanding presence, Garrett seems keen on moving forward, coinciding with a critical offseason for Cleveland as they hold a first-round draft selection for the first time since 2022.

Mary Kay Cabot, a Browns beat writer for 3News’ partner Cleveland.com, posted on X that Haslam directed Garrett to speak with GM Andrew Berry instead.

Previously, on Feb. 3, in a statement shared with the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Cleveland.com’s Cabot and ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 29-year-old says while he’s “loved calling this city my home, my desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won’t allow me to be complacent. The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl. With that in mind, I have requested to be traded from the Cleveland Browns.”

During appearances surrounding Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Garrett doubled down on his desire to leave Cleveland, telling ESPN’s Super Bowl Sunday NFL Countdown show that he was “willing to do whatever it takes” to make a trade to a contender work. 

Following Garrett’s trade request, Berry spoke at the NFL Combine, saying that the team plans to keep the All-Pro defensive end in Cleveland. 

“He’s (Garrett) a huge part of our organization. He’s a really good person, an awesome player. Our stance has not changed. We can’t imagine a situation where not having Myles as part of the organization is best for the Browns,” Berry said at the start of his remarks at the NFL Combine. 

Garrett has two years remaining on a five-year, $125 million contract extension. He finished the 2024 campaign with 14 sacks, becoming the first player in NFL history to record at least 14 sacks in four straight seasons. 

3News’ Dave DeNatale contributed to this report.