Myles Garrett may be too optimistic about the Cleveland Browns defense

Myles Garrett is too optimistic about the Cleveland Browns’ defensive long-term viability

Myles Garrett is hoping to finally play on a defense that matches his talents. The Cleveland Browns’ defense has been varying degrees of good since his arrival in 2017, but they’ve never been shut-down-fantastic. Even if they were a Top 15 unit, there was always something “wrong” with the unit. The ’85 Bears and ’02 Buccaneers this team has not been.

They were 31st in points against in 2017, 21st in 2018, 20th in 2019, 21st in 2020, 13th in 2021, and 20th in 2022. Each year there were issues that held them back. Even in 2021, the big issue was the linebacker’s health and the defensive line. Issues that are still plaguing this team.

The Browns went out and landed some moderate additions to the team. There’s Dalvin Tomlinson, who is an upgrade over anyone the Browns have had in years at the defensive tackle spot, but also isn’t a Pro Bowl-caliber player historically. Then there’s Juan Thornhill, who according to advanced stats, is only moderately better than John Johnson III. Then there’s Ogbo Okoronkwo, who’s never had a full season of good football in his pro career.

These aren’t huge additions, and considering most of the rookies drafted over the last three years have turned into anything special, it’s fair to say the Browns have an uphill battle in delivering on Garrett’s promise.

The Cleveland Browns will have huge issues in 2024 keeping the defense together

I don’t think this defense will be much better in 2023 than they were in 2022. I hope I’m wrong, but the talent just doesn’t appear to be there. But this isn’t just about ’23, it’s about “long-term”, and in 2024, the Browns will have to pay one player $70 million. Fans can keep talking about the salary cap going up, but look at what Philadelphia just had to do this year after going to the Super Bowl. Half of their defense ended up being let go.

Kansas City had to do the same thing after their first title. Teams, usually, have to end up cutting talent when they’re paying one player that much money.

That’s just the sad reality of the game. The Browns are paying one man $70 million, and if you think they’re going to invest heavily in veterans on short-term contracts, you’re wrong. The Browns are going to have to cut bodies.

And things may get even more intense in the offseason. While Greg Newsome keeps claiming that he didn’t ask for a trade, those rumors don’t just come out of nowhere. And fans can discredit the source of those rumors all they want, but the people talking about Newsome wanting a trade aren’t liars. They’re very good at their jobs, and the only reason people are dismissing the rumors is that they hope they’re wrong.

But the thing is, Newsome is likely going to be in the slot again. Martin Emerson is a player the team is very high on and there are many pundits (including those heard on 92.3 on Thursday) who think Emerson has the inside track to start over Newsome.

Newsome didn’t just get a new agent for no reason, especially not one as cut-throat as Drew Rosenhaus. No, Newsome is either looking for a deal the Browns won’t give him or a spot in the defense he hasn’t earned; either way you don’t bring Rosenhaus on if you’re happy with your situation.

Anyone who knows sports knows that Rosenhaus either gets his guys paid, or he gets them new addresses. There is smoke to this fire, even if Newsome is saying there isn’t. Players lie all the time. Especially if it could damage their reputation.

Now, Newsome may stay. He may retire in Cleveland. There are too many moving pieces to say for sure that Newsome is or isn’t gone after 2023. But it could happen.

In fact, this whole defense could get re-tooled this offseason once again, for a variety of reasons. If that does happen, and it’s likely that a lot of bodies will be cycled out sooner rather than later, what will Garrett be feeling?

Clearly, Garrett wants a top defense, and if the Browns can’t give him one, will he want to stay?