Browns Myles Garrett Being Recruited to AFC Contender by Ex-Champ
On Sunday, despite the incompetence around him, Browns star Myles Garrett put forth a monster day in which he recorded a career-high five sacks, only the 20th time in NFL
And he delivered it personally. Yes, Ninkovich–who played for eight seasons in New England and won two Super Bowls–messaged Garrett on the sly to get him to push for a trade to the current AFC East leaders.
“How about we go and get a guy who just had five sacks against us?” Ninkovich said on the Boston radio station WEEI. “I slid into his DMs. I said to him, ‘Get to New England, brother, and help this place get back to the championship.’”
Browns Just Gave Out Mega-Contract
Of course, the Browns have been clear about their stance on trading away Garrett, and despite some fever dreams in a variety of places where a star sack-master could be of use, that’s not changing. Garrett just signed a record-setting four-year, $160 million contract in the offseason, a deal that made him the centerpiece of one of the league’s best defenses going forward.
Sure, the Browns could get a massive draft haul for Garrett, with at least two first-round picks, plus, perhaps, a player and a second-day pick coming back to a Cleveland team that needs to rebuild.
Browns Have ‘Zero Chance’ of Trading Away Myles Garrett
But if there is a time when trading Garrett makes sense, it’s not now, when the Browns would be taking on $20 million in dead cap this year,
Cleveland.com beat writer Mary Kay Cabot all but put the nails in the coffin of any potential Garrett trade when she wrote on Wednesday
Myles Garrett Admits Frustration
Still, Garrett’s frustration with his team is obvious, and was crystallized on Sunday when he slammed his helmet on the sideline late in the game, then finished the game apart from his teammates, on one knee.
After the game, Garrett was not happy with not being on the field late in the game.
“Frustrated,” he said. “I want to win. No matter how much time is on the clock, they got their starters in, there’s a chance we can win, I want to be a part of that. I don’t care how dire the situation looks. I want to try to make something happen, so I hate coming out in a situation, I hate that kind of inevitability. And not being able to do anything about it.”
Cubs Urged to Trade for, Pay Orioles All-Star After Kyle Tucker Leaves
The Chicago Cubs could have a busy offseason ahead. Kyle Tucker is hitting the open market, and if the Cubs lose him, they may need to make some moves to replace his production.
Tucker is expected to sign a lucrative contract that could reach north of $400 million in total value. If the Cubs are unwilling to go that high, the team could spend elsewhere. FanSided’s Chris Landers urged the Cubs to acquire and pay Baltimore Orioles All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman.
“The Cubs have the luxury of being just about locked in at every position on the diamond - except, that is, for catcher, where Carson Kelly started off strong before disappearing down the stretch this season,” wrote Landers. “It’s a spot crying out for an upgrade this offseason, and while the free-agent market is thin on impact names (outside a declining JT Realmuto), the trade market features one heck of a buy-low opportunity in Rutschman.”
Tucker had an .841 OPS and 22 home runs in what was considered a down year. The Cubs will have to find a way to replace that production, and the catcher position could use an upgrade. Carson Kelly posted a .761 OPS and had a solid season. However, Rutschman is a two-time All-Star and a Silver Slugger.
He had a down year this year and dealt with injuries. Additionally, the Orioles gave catcher Samuel Basallo a contract extension. After committing to an eight-year, $67 million extension with Basallo, Rutschman’s future may be in doubt. He did not have his best year, but he still has the potential to be an elite player. The Cubs could ink him to an extension while the price tag is low.
