Myles Garrett's public admiration for Burrow and private text ignite whispers of an unlikely, yet intriguing, future NFL partnership.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett spoke publicly about quarterback Joe Burrow after Garrett broke the NFL single‑season sack record during the Browns’ 20-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18. In addition to a historic performance, Garrett emphasized his respect for Burrow, remarks that came alongside curiosity about an exchange between the two stars.
“Got a lot of love for Joe, he’s a hell of a guy. A hell of a player,” Garrett said in his postgame comments. “I hope to catch up with him this offseason.”
Garrett added that Burrow had sent him a text after the game: “He sent me a text, and I’ll keep what he said between him and I, but he’s exceptional all around.”
The public nature of Garrett’s praise, combined with mention of the private text, has fueled speculation among fans about what was said and whether the two discussed playing together in the future.
While neither player has disclosed the content of the message, the interaction has prompted questions about whether Burrow and Garrett, two of the NFL’s most elite players at their positions, could one day suit up on the same roster.
Myles Garrett’s Contract Makes A Move to Cincinnati Unlikely
Any notion of Garrett joining the Bengals faces a significant financial and contractual hurdle. Garrett signed a four‑year contract extension with the Browns in March 2025 that runs through the 2030 season, averaging approximately $40 million per year and including $123 million in guaranteed money, making him one of the highest‑paid non‑quarterback in NFL history. The deal also includes a no‑trade clause, further limiting the Browns’ ability to move him without player consent.
That extension solidified Garrett’s status as a cornerstone of the Browns’ defense and made any potential trade or free‑agent departure highly unlikely in the near term. Even before the contract was signed, Garrett had requested a trade following the Browns’ disappointing 2024 season, signaling his desire to compete for a championship. Cleveland declined to trade him and ultimately locked him into the long‑term deal, underscoring the organization’s commitment to keeping its franchise pass rusher.
Record‑Setting Season for Myles Garrett
Garrett’s historic performance in the Bengals game was one of the defining individual achievements of the 2025 NFL season. He broke the NFL single‑season sack record, finishing the year with 23 sacks, surpassing the previous mark of 22.5 set by New York Giants legend Michael Strahan and Pittsburgh Steelers LB T.J. Watt
While the content of the message remains private, Garrett’s comments suggest an offseason conversation is likely, and hints at the possibility of deeper dialogue between the two beyond typical postgame sportsmanship.