The Cleveland Browns‘ star defensive standout Myles Garrett has had a busy NFL offseason after delivering a historic campaign in which he broke the NFL single-season sack record.
At the NFL Combine 2026 in Indianapolis, new Browns head coach Todd Monken raised eyebrows when he revealed he had yet to speak with Garrett. Weeks later, defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg echoed the same, admitting he also hadn’t been in contact with the star pass rusher.
During the NFL annual meetings in Arizona, owner Jimmy Haslam downplayed the situation, noting it’s not unusual for the team to go stretches without consistent communication with Garrett during the NFL offseason.
The Browns opened organized team activities (OTAs) this week – a phase where attendance is voluntary – but Myles Garrett’s absence still drew attention.
Monken reacts to Garrett’s absence
“If you asked every coach in the NFL if they’d like every player to be there, of course,” Monken said. “There are certain things, from a connection standpoint, that I think are important to be here for. From a schematic or work standpoint, not as much.”
This isn’t the first time Myles Garrett has skipped this portion of the NFL offseason program. At this stage, teams are focused more on strength training and team meetings than on-field work.
Still, Monken’s comments hinted he would have preferred his star defender in attendance. That said, Garrett’s absences have never impacted his performance – if anything, his production has continued to rise year after year.
“Myles will be ready,” Monken added. “I’m not worried about Myles.”
Before last season ended, Myles Garrett publicly backed former Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz as a candidate for NFL head coach. The veteran made it clear he remains committed to the franchise as long as the focus stays on winning games, not rebuilding.
Ultimately, the organization chose Todd Monken for the role. Shortly after the decision became public, Garrett posted a cryptic social media message featuring an exhausted fast-food worker – a move that sparked widespread NFL speculation.
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