Buccaneers should have their antenna all the way up after latest Myles Garrett bombshell report
It's not every day that a first-team All-Pro player becomes available on the market by trade, particularly one at a premium position. But hey, it's a week of oddities here in the sports world, as evidenced by the absolutely bizarro-world NBA trade that sent Luke Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers over the weekend. So, […]
It's not every day that a first-team All-Pro player becomes available on the market by trade, particularly one at a premium position. But hey, it's a week of oddities here in the sports world, as evidenced by the absolutely bizarro-world NBA trade that sent Luke Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers over the weekend. So, why not one more?
Actually, it's not so bonkers after Monday's revelation from NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport. Should be expected, even, at this point.
Per Rapoport, Myles Garrett has asked for a trade from the Cleveland Browns with the following statement:
"While I've loved calling this city my home, my desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won't allow me to be complacent. The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl," Garrett said.
Of course, everything that follows is contingent on Cleveland being willing to oblige their superstar and deal him. That remains to be seen, but there's little doubt that the back-to-back-to-back-to-back NFC South champions are a very logical landing spot for him.
Tampa Bay isn't far off from the Super Bowl. The last two seasons that saw close playoff losses to NFC title game participants showed that. It also just so happens the Buccaneers have a glaring need to find a pass rusher in general manager Jason Licht's offseason to-do list. Tampa Bay has an exciting young player at one outside linebacker position in Yaya Diaby.
However, they desperately need production on the other side. 2021 first round pick Joe Tyron-Shoyinka's contract is up, and even then, it's safe to say his time in Tampa was a disappointment. Chris Braswell didn't make much of an impact as a rookie last year.
It's hard to imagine someone who could be more impactful than Garrett.
Garrett, who is under contract through the 2026 season, has been one of the best defensive players in the NFL since being drafted with the first overall pick in the 2017. He's made six Pro Bowls and earned AP first-team All-Pro honors four times, being named the AP defensive player of the year in 2023.
And hey, the Buccaneers already have the Browns' 2018 first overall pick in Baker Mayfield leading the way for the Bucs' high-octane offense. Why not try to acquire their 2017 first overall pick to try to spearhead the defensive side of the ball?
Obviously, cost is the primary question, particularly when it comes to draft capital. These kinds of deals don't happen all that often, and for good reason. This isn't the third-rounder for Matthew Judon that the Atlanta Falcons pulled off last year. This is potentially two first round picks, and then perhaps some. Maybe something akin to the Khalil Mack deal in 2018 that sent him to the Bears in a deal that included two firsts, among other pieces on both sides. That could be a reasonable comp for Garrett's services.
It won't be easy to pull off. But the Bucs are in a Super Bowl window right now with Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans leading the way, with a clear avenue to get back to the postseason – where anything can happen – via a weak NFC South.
Licht took a big swing and hit a home run when he landed Tom Brady, and the Lombardi Trophy spoke for itself.
Will he step up to the plate again here?
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