Cleveland Browns Labeled a “Washed-Up Team,” Myles Garrett Fires Back With Strong Response
The Cleveland Browns have grown accustomed to outside noise, but this week the criticism hit a little harder. Several national analysts referred to the Browns as a “washed-up team,” pointing to injuries, inconsistent quarterback play, and a lack of late-game execution. While the comments spread quickly across social media, one Browns star was never going to let the narrative go unanswered — defensive cornerstone Myles Garrett.
Garrett, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s most dominant defenders, responded with a mix of irritation and confidence when asked about the criticism after practice on Wednesday. To him, the idea that Cleveland is fading is not just wrong — it’s fuel.
“People love to throw dirt on us anytime they get the chance,” Garrett said. “But every year, they forget who we are until we remind them. If they think we’re ‘washed,’ they’re about to find out how wrong that is.”
The Browns have faced a turbulent season marked by key injuries across both sides of the ball. Still, the defense — led by Garrett — has remained one of the strongest units in the league. Even during stretches where the offense struggled, Garrett has consistently delivered game-changing plays and served as a stabilizing force for the franchise. That’s why he finds the “washed-up” label not only inaccurate, but borderline disrespectful.
“We’ve taken hits, sure. Every team does,” he continued. “But washed-up teams don’t fight in every game, don’t stay in the playoff race, and don’t have the kind of heart this locker room has. We’re built for moments like this.”
Garrett’s message has resonated deeply with the roster. Teammates have praised his leadership, noting that his response sets the tone for how the team will approach the final stretch of the season. Inside the organization, the belief remains strong that the Browns are capable of turning the narrative around — and that the defense, with Garrett at its center, will be the ones driving that shift.
The star pass rusher made it clear that the only real way to silence the critics is on the field. “You don’t change minds with words,” Garrett said. “You change them with wins. And that’s exactly what we plan to do.”
As the Browns gear up for a crucial set of matchups, the outside noise continues — but Garrett has ensured that Cleveland’s response will be loudest where it matters most: on game day.
Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth Opens Up on Career Success Against Bengals
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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth tried to explain his career success against the Cincinnati Bengals in an exclusive interview with Heavy Sports.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could really use a second pass-catcher to be a bigger part of their passing attack in Week 11. Only D.K. Metcalf has eclipsed the 260-yard mark for the season. In more recent weeks, it’s become too easy for opposing defenses to stop the Steelers attack by just double covering Metcalf.
One pass-catcher who has the talent to play a bigger role is tight end Pat Freiermuth. The good news for the Steelers is Freiermuth has a knack for excelling against the Cincinnati Bengals, who is the next opponent on Pittsburgh’s schedule.
Freiermuth isn’t 100% sure why he has performed so well versus the Bengals in the past. But he gave credit to his father.
“My Dad’s from Cincinnati, so maybe that’s it,” Freiermuth told Heavy Sports in an exclusive interview. “Maybe he’s given me some, like Cincinnati magic or something. I don’t even know. But yeah, maybe that’s it.
“I think they are just one of them teams, and schematically, I think I just play well against them.”
Freiermuth said his dad was a Bengals fan until the day he was drafted. The Steelers tight end has made a career out of carving up his father’s former favorite team.
In nine games against the Bengals, Freiermuth has averaged 5.3 catches and 66.7 receiving yards per contest. He has also scored six touchdowns.
Overall, Freiermuth has 600 receiving yards in his career versus Cincinnati. He doesn’t have more than 199 career receiving yards against any other team in the league.
Mike Tomlin Explains Pat Freiermuth’s Success Against Bengals
During the 2023 season, Freiermuth did post zero receptions in a game against the Bengals. However, he has at least 75 receiving yards or a touchdown in the other eight contests versus Cincinnati in his career.
In Week 7, Freiermuth had his best outing of maybe his entire career in the Queen City. The tight end posted five receptions for 111 yards and scored twice.
Freiermuth doesn’t have more than 33 receiving yards in any other game this season.
On Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin chalked up Freiermuth’s success against Cincinnati as more than just fatherly magic.
“They play a lot of zone, or they’ve played a lot of zone, particularly with their previous coordinator, and that’s why he’s had some big games against those guys,” Tomlin told reporters. “There is no secret that Muth has very good zone awareness, and he is a zone killer, and that’s why he’s had some of the games he’s had against those guys.”
Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth Leading Blood Drive
The Steelers would love for Freiermuth to be among the team leaders in receptions and receiving yards in the final seven weeks. Away from the field, the tight end is leading a blood drive to combat blood shortages around the United States.
The global health leader Abbott and the Big Ten Conference created the blood drive campaign called “The We Give Blood Drive.” In its second season, the drive is a competition among all Big Ten schools to see who will donate the most blood. The winning school will receive $1 million from Abbott to advance student and community health initiatives.
The Steelers tight end is campaigning for Big Ten fans, students and alumni to donate blood. He is especially pushing for Penn State students and alumni to make donations.
Freiermuth played at Penn State from 2018-20.
“It’s super big because there’s a blood shortage,” Freiermuth said. “Every two seconds in the United States, people need blood. So this is obviously important.
“With the blood shortage, I’m encouraging people to donate blood.”
Donations will be accepted through December 5. The Big Ten will announce the winning school at the conference’s championship game on December 6.
To sign up to donate blood for a particular school, visit BigTen.Org/Abbott.
