Myles Garrett reveals critical difference between his offseason negotiations with Cleveland Browns and Micah Parsons' dispute with Dallas Cowboys

The NFL world was left stunned last week when the Dallas Cowboys shipped star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for two first round picks and veteran DT Kenny Clark. 

Usually, contract disputes with great players who requested a trade end with the the team simply paying up in the form of a lucrative extension that resets the market at the position. That's exactly what happened when Myles Garrett pulled the same move with the Cleveland Browns back in February. 

Garrett had gone on a crusade across radio row at the Super Bowl to let everyone he could know that he wanted out of Cleveland. He sounded serious, until the Browns came calling with an offer he couldn't refuse in the form of a four-year extension worth $123 million and $40 million in average annual value. 

And so, just days before free agency opened up in March, Garrett was back in the fold with Cleveland, despite the fact that he had highlighted the franchise's biggest deficiencies weeks prior. 

So why did Garrett's situation end in a new deal and a return to Cleveland, but Parsons' ended up in his trade request being fulfilled? Respect was the key, according to Garrett. 

"I wasn’t sleeping on the training table during games," Garrett joked, referencing the viral pictures of Parsons napping on the Cowboys training table during the preseason. "I think him and I went at it in two very different ways and this wasn’t a relationship I wanted to ruin."

Essentially, Garrett didn't want to completely burn any bridges with the only organization he'd ever known, and its loyal fan base that has a torched history of being spurned by star spots figures already.

For Parsons' though, his relationship with owner and general manager Jerry Jones appeared to deteriorate beyond repair. In turn, he proceeded to make situation completely untenable. 

"There was always a potential of me being back in this same spot, which I am now," added Garrett. "I don’t think that’s what he wanted after no discussions with Jerry [Jones] 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." 

Respect is essential in these types of conflicts. And usually respect prevails. Garrett paved the way this offseason for a handful of his pass-rushing peers to also get paid big money, including Parsons.

𝚂𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚛 𝙶𝚎𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚗 (@Spencito_) on X Myles Garrett was asked about why his contract situation and Micah Parson's contract situation ended in total opposite results. Thought he had an interesting answer...

After skipping Pittsburgh Steelers mandatory minicamp, Garrett's biggest nemesis, T.J. Watt finally earned a contract extension just before training camp commenced in late July. Naturally, he made sure his deal surpassed Garrett's by $1 million in AAV to take the thrown as the highest paid edge rusher in football. 

Trey Hendrickson ended his standoff with the Cincinnati Bengals a few days before Parsons was traded, earning a $14 million raise to bring his salary for 2025 to $30 million in what's the last year of his deal. 

Then came Parsons, who was welcomed to Green Bay with a record setting, four-year $186 million deal worth $47 million in AAV. He has Garrett to thank for paving the way for him to become the highest paid non-quarterback in all of football. 

"I share a sense of pride with some of the guys I’ve been able to talk to, especially Micah," Garrett said. "Him and I had the opportunity to talk through the process and I’m just happy to see him be somewhere he’s happy and go out there and have opportunity to play meaningful games. He just wants to play at a high level, compete for a Super Bowl and go for the Defensive Player of the Year. So I’m happy to see that for him. Know he’s a hell of a talent"