Myles Garrett Expresses Lack Of Faith In Browns’ Offensive Playcalling

A 1-5 start to the season has tensions running high in Cleveland, and the frustration is palpable. Following another disappointing loss, this time to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, superstar defensive end Myles Garrett did not hold back. The face of the franchise and reigning Defensive Player of the Year voiced his concerns about the team’s struggling offense, sending a clear message to the coaching staff and his teammates. The comments have highlighted a growing disconnect between the team’s defensive efforts and its offensive output.

Myles Garrett On The Cleveland Browns’ Offense

The Cleveland Browns’ offense has been one of the least productive units in the NFL. The team has failed to score more than 17 points in 11 consecutive games, a dismal streak that dates back to last season. The struggles were on full display in their recent 23-9 loss to the Steelers. With rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel at the helm, the Browns’ game plan became alarmingly one-dimensional.

Gabriel attempted a staggering 52 passes, completing just over half of them for 221 yards and failing to lead the team to a single touchdown. In stark contrast, the rushing attack was virtually abandoned. The Browns ran the ball only 17 times for a meager 65 yards. This pass-heavy approach, despite its ineffectiveness, has become a point of contention, and Garrett was the first to give that frustration a voice.

Garrett’s Call for a Commitment to the Run

As the leader of a defense that consistently puts the team in a position to win, Garrett’s patience appears to be wearing thin. In his media availability, he openly questioned the offensive game plan and play-calling of head coach Kevin Stefanski.

“I would have liked to see us stick to the run a little bit,” Garrett stated. “Especially with a dynamic playmaker like Quinshon (Judkins). Hell, even Dylan [Sampson]. Would have liked to see it, but they saw it differently.”

This statement is a direct critique of the coaching staff’s decision to abandon the run so quickly. Judkins, a highly-touted rookie running back, has shown flashes of brilliance but has not been given a consistent workload. For a team starting a rookie quarterback, establishing a strong ground game is a fundamental strategy to control the clock, protect the football, and take pressure off the young passer. The Browns’ offense has done the opposite, putting the entire weight of the game on Gabriel’s shoulders.

Garrett’s comments also touched on the departure of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals and promptly led them to a high-scoring victory. “Joe looked like Joe,” Garrett observed. “It makes me see that whatever offense we’re committed to running to produce wins doesn’t see Joe as the most productive. Maybe his style doesn’t fit how we want to run it.” This remark subtly questions the offensive system itself and whether it is being tailored to the strengths of its personnel.

Leading Through Frustration

Garrett’s public comments are not just a sign of frustration; they are an act of leadership. After the Steelers loss, he was visibly upset, stating, “To lose the same way every time is frustrating as hell.” By speaking out, he is holding the entire organization accountable and demanding a change in approach. He is channeling the frustration of the locker room and the fanbase, using his platform to push for solutions.

Despite his disappointment with the offensive scheme, Garrett made it a point to express his belief in the young players on that side of the ball. “One thing that does make me hopeful is the guys who are over there and especially the young guys who are hungry and ready to go and want to make plays and who are urgent,” he said. This shows that his issue is not with the players’ effort but with the strategy they are being asked to execute.

The comments serve as a critical turning point for the team. A player of his stature does not speak out lightly. His words carry significant weight and put immense pressure on Kevin Stefanski and the offensive coaching staff to re-evaluate their philosophy. As the Browns prepare for their next game against the Miami Dolphins, all eyes will be on the play sheet. Will they heed their defensive leader’s call and commit to a more balanced attack, or will they continue down a path that has led to nothing but losses? The team’s response will say a lot about the direction of the franchise and its willingness to listen to its most important player.