Browns Defender Myles Garrett Skips Voluntary OTAs Amid Leadership Questions

Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns' star defensive end and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, has drawn criticism and concern after skipping the team's voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs) to vacation in Tokyo despite recently signing a record-setting four-year, $160 million contract extension with a no-trade clause. While OTAs are not mandatory, many fans and teammates have expressed disappointment, questioning his leadership commitment especially following a disappointing 3-14 season and his earlier trade request. Social media reactions and even some teammates, like Ogbo Okoronkwo, have indirectly criticized Garrett's absence, highlighting the Browns' urgent need for a strong locker room leader. Amid these concerns, rookie Shedeur Sanders is emerging as a potential new leader in the organization, gaining praise for his positive influence on teammates. Garrett's absence has also caught investor attention, impacting sentiment in sports-related stocks like DraftKings and crypto assets linked to sports fan engagement, reflecting broader market sensitivity to player availability and team performance. Although Garrett is expected to return for mandatory minicamp starting in June, the early offseason message he has sent has raised questions about his role beyond on-field dominance.