The Cleveland Browns are entering the 2025 NFL season with hopes of proving doubters wrong, but the spotlight is once again on their defensive cornerstone, Myles Garrett, for reasons he’d prefer to avoid.
Garrett, who recently signed a lucrative contract extension after briefly requesting a trade earlier this year, was asked during a media session about his latest speeding ticket, reportedly for going over 100 mph. The question was met with little enthusiasm.
“Browns DE Myles Garrett declines to talk about latest 100 mph speeding ticket. Said he wants to talk about football,” wrote Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram and Medina Gazette on X, formerly Twitter.
While Garrett’s driving record has raised eyebrows in recent months, his stance is clear: his focus is squarely on the season ahead, not headlines about traffic violations.
Garrett’s importance to Cleveland’s outlook
The defensive end, still just 29, remains one of the league’s premier pass rushers and is widely considered the Browns’ best player.
His extension this offseason ensured he would remain the face of Cleveland’s defense while also rewarding him with the type of contract usually reserved for franchise quarterbacks.
Yet his future in Cleveland seemed uncertain only months ago. Back in February, Garrett shocked fans when reports surfaced of a trade request. That move sparked widespread speculation about whether he wanted a fresh start elsewhere. However, the eventual contract extension suggested the request was less about leaving Cleveland and more about securing a long-term financial commitment from the organization.
Now locked in, Garrett will be tasked with carrying a defense that must keep games competitive if the Browns hope to improve on last year’s dismal 3-14 record.
A quarterback decision that defines the season
The Browns also made headlines with their quarterback decision, officially naming Joe Flacco as the starter for Week 1.
Flacco, a veteran with Super Bowl experience, edged out younger competitors Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Kenny Pickett in what became one of the more intriguing preseason storylines across the league.
Even with Flacco under center and Garrett anchoring the defense, questions remain about Cleveland’s overall roster depth and ability to keep pace in a competitive AFC.
The Browns’ offensive consistency has been shaky for years, and many analysts remain skeptical about their chances of climbing out of the AFC North cellar.
Still, Cleveland fans will get their first real glimpse of the team’s potential when they host divisional rival Cincinnati Bengals on September 7 at 1:00 PM ET. The Browns have one final preseason matchup to fine-tune their approach before that highly anticipated opener.
As for Garrett, he seems determined to shift the narrative away from off-field noise and back to what he does best, disrupting quarterbacks. If the Browns are to have any chance at surprising the league this season, they’ll need their star defender locked in and leading by example.
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