Andrew Berry calls Myles Garrett 'a career Brown' amid trade speculation

Andrew Berry didn't want to engage on the topic. Or give it oxygen.The Browns general manager tried to shoot down renewed speculation he will trade All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett after modifying the language in his contract last week."Myles is a career Brown," Berry told a small group of reporters Sunday at the league meetings in Phoenix. "He's one of the faces of our organization. I think we've been very clear both past and present in terms of our goals."I understand all the questions. I'll be honest, I don't really want to waste a ton more breath on the topic."Garrett, 30, was voted NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons after setting the NFL season sack record with 23 in 2025.He asked to be traded after the 2024 season, saying the Browns weren't positioned to contend for the Super Bowl, but Berry was adamant the Browns wouldn't trade the future Hall of Famer. Garrett eventually agreed to a four-year, $160 million contract extension that includes a no-trade clause.The recent speculation followed tweaks to the contract. One of the key changes was shifting the date for option bonuses to be paid from March until a week before the regular season from 2026-28.This immediately raised questions around the league. Such a move would greatly benefit the Browns financially, and with the salary cap, if they traded Garrett after the March date but before the season.The Chronicle-Telegram, and other outlets, were told last week the Browns weren't trading Garrett and the changes were made for long-term salary cap flexibility for the team with Garrett also benefiting. Berry confirmed the stance on a trade but wouldn't elaborate on the reasons for the changes."Standard practice, I don't comment on player contracts," Berry said. "I guess probably the easiest thing to say is, if we wanted to trade Myles, we wouldn't need to make a contract adjustment, so it doesn't have anything to do with that."Garrett reiterated toward the end of last season he's happy staying with the Browns as long as they are trying to win. He doesn't want to be part of a rebuild.The Browns went 3-14 in 2024 and 5-12 last year before coach Kevin Stefanski was fired. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, whom Garrett liked playing for, resigned when he didn't get the head coaching job and Todd Monken was hired.Berry said "we do" when asked if he feels the Browns are in a good spot with Garrett.The argument for trading the five-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler is the Browns seem at least a year away from winning and the multiple first-round picks acquired in a deal could fast-forward the roster transition that began in 2025.Berry likes the roster improvements he's made and isn't inclined to subtract the team's best player, who anchored the defense, which is the obvious strength of the team."We'll always do what we think is in the best interest of the organization," Berry said. "We really like our core. I think as we look at the team, we have an elite young defense. We have a really rebuilt offensive line. We have nine picks this upcoming draft and I think seven are in the top 150, three in the top 40."We have a good offensive young core that we brought in last year. And honestly, as we saw last year, there are more than one way to generate assets in the NFL. So we'll always do what's best for the organization, but we feel really good about our roster right now before the draft."Berry reiterated his general belief when asked about potentially trading five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward."We'll always do what's best for the organization but we're generally in the business of keeping the elite players as opposed to trading them," Berry said. EXTRA POINTSBerry said everything's on the table regarding the No. 6 pick in the draft."It really just depends on the prospects that are available," he said. "I don't know that we are going to be picking six at the end of April, and if we are picking six, I have no idea what we're going to take at this point. And so we try and remain flexible as we go into draft weekend and we want to use the asset in the best way possible, whether that's sitting and picking, trading up, trading down, trading it for a veteran player."** Berry feels good about the rehab of running back Quinshon Judkins, who missed the last two games after surgery to repair a broken fibula and dislocated ankle."He's progressing really, really nicely," Berry said. "I'd imagine that we're going to see him in some form or fashion this spring and, knock on wood, should be full go for (training) camp."** He didn't sound optimistic about re-signing free agent cornerback Martin Emerson Jr., a third-round pick in 2022 who missed last season with a torn Achilles tendon. The Browns traded for Tyson Campbell, who took Emerson's spot in the starting lineup."Love MJ. Absolutely love MJ. Both as a person and as a player," Berry said. "Selfishly would love to have him back. I think we're also realistic that with MJ and the injury that he's coming off of, to reach his personal goals, he's also got to be in a position where he has maybe a strong opportunity to compete for a starting spot. That's probably a little bit harder with how we're configured with Denzel and Tyson."The post Andrew Berry calls Myles Garrett 'a career Brown' amid trade speculation first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.