Notes: Jimmy Haslam calls Myles Garrett 'unicorn,' says he'll remain 'best player in the NFL'

The Browns' decision-makers continue to explain why they plan to keep Myles Garrett rather than trade him for multiple quality assets in an attempt to build for the future."I could argue that Myles is the best player in the NFL," owner Jimmy Haslam told reporters Monday at the league meetings in Phoenix. "And you could say, 'Well, no, you've got to pick the quarterbacks' and I wouldn't argue against that because quarterback is so important in the NFL, but he had his best year ever. If you know Myles, he takes phenomenal care of himself and I think he'll remain the best player in the NFL and a top-rate defender for the next five years."Guys like Myles Garrett do not come along very much. They just don't. He is a unicorn. And Myles is an integral part of what we do at the Cleveland Browns."Garrett set the NFL season sack record with 23 in 2025, earning his second NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in three seasons. Trade speculation resurfaced last week after the Browns modified the language in his contract to delay bonuses being paid from March to right before the season for 2026-28."Myles is a career Brown," general manager Andrew Berry said Sunday."I don't see a time where I would not want Myles Garrett part of our team. I can't even envision that," coach Todd Monken told NFL Network on Monday.The Browns started a major roster transition last offseason in an attempt to get younger and improve their salary cap situation. Haslam was asked if he thinks they can get it fixed while Garrett remains under contract through 2030."I do. I do. I do," Haslam said. "We have a long way to go and talk is cheap, but teams have turned things around quickly. So we've got a lot of work to do on offense."Garrett, 30, asked to be traded last offseason before signing a four-year, $160 million extension. He's made it clear he wants to contend for a championship and isn't interested in rebuilding.Haslam said Garrett is "absolutely" committed to the organization."We spent a lot of time with Myles the day after the season, we had a great conversation about the offseason, the direction of the team, what we were looking for, et cetera," Haslam said. "We anticipate Myles fully buying in. Now let me say, it's not unusual for Myles not to be in real close contact with us in the offseason. So he's not the kind of guy that's there all the time that calls you every week. That's just different styles. It's fine."Garrett has a personal offseason training regimen and isn't expected to attend the start of the voluntary offseason program April 7 in Berea.A NEW, OLD LOOKQuarterback Shedeur Sanders is going back to No. 2, which he wore at Colorado and Jackson State. He had No. 12 as a rookie in 2025.He simply posted "#2" on X, and the team announced the switch.Veteran receiver DeAndre Carter had No. 2 when Sanders arrived in Cleveland. Sanders's dad, Deion, wore No. 2 at Florida State.Sanders will compete with Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel for the starting job."I was in Cleveland two or three weeks ago and was working out early and he was coming in," Haslam said. "He's been in Cleveland most of the winter, and I think that says a lot for his dedication to wanting to be a NFL quarterback and understanding what it takes."His body looks better. I think he's been working hard. So I think it's hard for a lot of college kids to understand what it takes to play in the NFL and particularly quarterback. I think Shedeur got an education in that, and my instincts are he'll come back ready to play."EUROPEAN ADDITIONThe Browns were granted international marketing rights in Italy — as were the Saints — as part of the NFL's Global Markets Program. The Browns have had rights in Nigeria since 2024."Our experience in Nigeria has shown us how our brand and football can bring communities together while creating meaningful opportunities abroad for young athletes," chief marketing officer Brent Rossi said. "As we enter the Italian market, we're excited to build on that foundation and connect with new international fans in a way that reflects both the Browns' identity and the local Italian culture right here in Northeast Ohio."The Browns plan to connect with the Italian community by investing in youth sports to create avenues to pursue American football at an elite level. The team will collaborate with local Italian organizations, host watch parties and establish a Browns Backers chapter.CLOSER TO HOMECrews have been working on the Brook Park site for the new dome stadium for a while, but the official groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for April 30."We're really incredibly excited about it," Dee Haslam said. "We continue to invest in the plan to make sure we're delivering an unbelievable experience for our fans. And actually what we're doing it contributes to the growth and economic development in our state."The Haslams recently increased their contribution to $1.755 billion toward the $2.6 billion project.EXTRA POINTSThe Browns withdrew their proposal to change the NFL bylaws to allow teams to trade draft picks up to five years into the future instead of three. They knew it wasn't going to pass and could tweak it next year."There's no way that thing gets through," Rams coach Sean McVay said before Cleveland pulled it from the agenda at the league meetings.** Monken and McVay missed the annual coaches photo, which was taken earlier than its originally scheduled time.The post Notes: Jimmy Haslam calls Myles Garrett 'unicorn,' says he'll remain 'best player in the NFL' first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.