Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett had the reaction most people did to Micah Parsons getting traded to the Green Bay Packers and landing a record-setting deal.
The Week 3 matchup between the Browns and Packers will feature two of the most talented pass-rushers in the league in Garrett and Parsons. They both also dealt with some offseason drama.
Garrett demanded a trade but ended up sticking with the Browns, signing a four-year extension worth $40 million per season. It briefly made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
Heading into the final year of his rookie deal, Parsons ended up in a very contentious negotiation with the Dallas Cowboys over an extension. Things went south and Jerry Jones sent Parsons to the Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round draft picks. After the trade, Parsons signed a five-year, $210 million contract extension.
“Holy (expletive), he did it!” Garrett said of his initial reaction to the trade on Friday. “I think that was the same thing that went through most people’s minds. The $47 (million), I remember him talking about, we were sitting in the sauna during the offseason, he was like, ‘if I get a deal, I’m going to beat the (expletive) out of your deal.’
“And he went out there and got it. So that was part of the, I guess, the humorous part of the deal. Then him texting me talking about, did I do right? And I was like, ‘nah, you did perfect.’ So I’m just glad to see him get what he’s earned and he’s worth every dollar. He’s shown that, and him and that defense have been on a tear.”
Myles Garrett Calls Situation With Browns Different
Garrett and Parsons faced a similar situation but ended up with very different results. Garrett said his intention was not to burn a bridge with the Browns, while Parsons seemed more comfortable forcing his way out.
“Well, I mean, I wasn’t sleeping on the training table during games,” Garrett said. “I mean, I think him and I went at it in two very different ways and this wasn’t a relationship I wanted to ruin. There was always a potential of me being back in this same spot, which I am now.
“I don’t think that’s what he wanted after no discussions with Jerry and some of the other people, especially without his agent being present. I feel like that seemed like a show of disrespect, the way they were handling the situation, and I think the way ours was handled was a bit more respectful all around.”
Mutual Respect Between Garrett, Parsons Ahead of Browns-Packers Clash
The Packers are installed as a favorite in the NFC after a 2-0 start. The Browns are on the other end of the spectrum, stumbling to 0-2. Cleveland was walloped by the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2, 41-17.
Still, there’s a friendly competition and mutual respect between the two pass-rushers. Garrett is tied for the league lead in sacks through two games with 3.5 and has been the focal point of a Browns’ defense that has been better than recent scores suggest.
“I think we’re two of the very best,” Parsons said. “I think we’re two of the very best of this generation. We’ve just got to continue to lead the way. There are definitely some other names in that conversation, but I think saying that he’s in it and that I am in it is not out of the norm.”
The Browns are a 7.5-point home underdog for the matchup, per ESPN BET.
