Cleveland Browns star DE Myles Garrett kicked off the offseason with a public trade request. However, the Browns showed no interest in granting that request, instead offering him a lucrative deal. Ultimately, Garrett signed a no-trade clause, securing his future with the team.

CBS Sports Radio’s Rob Parker sees Garrett’s actions as deceitful. Garrett had claimed that his desire to leave was based on his wish to win a championship, stating he couldn’t see the Browns reaching that level anytime soon. But now, he’s committed to staying with the team for the next six years, choosing money over championship dreams.

“That’s when somebody’s fraudulent. You’ve got to call him a fraud,” Parker said. “It’s one thing to say you just want out, you want to be traded. But to say it’s about winning, you always dreamt about winning, and that’s what it was about and never thought about going from [Cleveland to Canton], and then they come along with money for you, and then all of those words really don’t matter.”

Parker suggested Garrett’s trade request might have been a strategy to secure a new contract, even though the Browns were likely already planning to offer him a new deal. Nevertheless, Garrett ended up securing a massive four-year, $160 million extension, making him the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback.

Parker criticized the Browns for paying Garrett such a large sum, calling it a poor business decision. But he argued that it fits a pattern, similar to how Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was convinced to guarantee Deshaun Watson’s $230 million contract after initially declining the best offer.

“The Cleveland Browns continue to make bad decisions. It is a terrible decision to [extend Myles Garrett] at this kind of money,” Parker said. “He’s a great player, that isn’t even the issue. The issue is you’re in last place. You can finish in last place with him or without him.”

During the 2023 season, the Browns appeared to have turned a corner, finishing 11-6 and making the playoffs, with Garrett winning Defensive Player of the Year. However, despite another strong season from Garrett in 2024, the Browns won just three games, with Watson’s struggles not providing much of an excuse, considering they went 1-6 with him.

Considering the developments surrounding Garrett’s trade request and how quickly it was resolved, it’s easy to understand why Parker and others are calling him a fraud for agreeing to an extension with the Browns. His decision to accept a big payday before the new league year even started raises questions about his true commitment to winning a championship. Unless the Browns convinced him they have a legitimate plan to improve, his quick agreement to the deal seems to show a lack of resolve. It will be interesting to hear his explanation when he addresses the media for the first time.