The football world was shocked when Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett announced earlier this year that he had requested a trade in hopes of landing with a Super Bowl contender. That may not describe the Indianapolis Colts right now, but they are also not as far off as it may seem; if general manager Chris Ballard handles the offseason right, the Colts could easily win the AFC South in 2025, for the first time in 11 years.
Garrett, a defensive end, would be a dangerous addition to the Colts defense, especially paired with DeForest Buckner. And while the Colts have some holes to fill on offense, their biggest needs are on defense. The Colts have a relatively healthy $35 million to spend, and they need to get themselves a dominant pass rusher - like Garrett - to be successful.
Still, the idea of Garrett landing in Indianapolis was a long shot. He did, however, already make it clear that he isn't open to a contract extension with the Browns, but the relationship between Garrett and the Browns just got a whole lot messier - which could be to the Colts' benefit. According to Tom Pelissero, Garrett requested a conversation with Browns' owner Jimmy Haslam, and Haslam refused to see him.
#Browns star Myles Garrett recently requested a meeting with owner Jimmy Haslam, who declined to speak amidst Garrett’s trade request, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 7, 2025
Both sides are dug in: Cleveland refuses to even discuss a trade, while Garrett is preparing to miss games if he’s not traded. pic.twitter.com/1VMv1xMl1b
The Garrett situation has become a disaster for the Browns, and it's primarily because Haslam and general manager Andrew Berry have botched the trade issue. Yes, the Browns want to keep Garrett; who wouldn't? However, Garrett is so committed to being traded that he is willing to miss games if he's kept in Cleveland, even if it means being fined every week. It makes the Browns' management look like amateurs, and they still won't have their star pass rusher. Refusing to even speak to Garrett, and tell him to his face that they won't trade him, just adds unprofessionalism to the disaster in Cleveland - there's basically no winning for Haslam and Berry here.
What the Browns should be doing is taking advantage of the situation, and the hype surrounding Garrett, and negotiate a trade that lets them cash in. Instead, they're digging in their heels, which could end up coming back to bite them. If they wait too long, they won't have as many options, and Garrett won't be able to net them as much as he will right now.
So let me get this straight. Your best player is upset and doesn’t want to play for you anymore. He’d like to talk to you about his frustration. Instead of meeting with him, and perhaps attempting to change his mind or start a more amicable dialogue, you refuse? While at the same… https://t.co/4A3p9Pcxxx
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 7, 2025
Still, while this a monumental blunder for the Browns, could it pay off for the Colts? Yes, Garrett says he wants a team that's a contender for the Super Bowl right now. But with such major improvements on defense, should Garrett join the Indy roster, and improvement from Anthony Richardson, they could easily win the division and be a formidable foe in the playoffs.
They also have money to play with - $35 million - and the 14th pick in the draft. Ballard, at this point, has got to be all-too-aware of how much his job is on the line, and seeing the dysfunction in Cleveland surrounding a future Hall-of-Famer has got to be making him smile. Getting Garrett would already have been a huge success for Ballard, one big enough to save his job for another season, and if Cleveland keeps messing up, it could pay off in Indianapolis.