Myles Garrett’s Instagram Post Adds Intrigue to Browns’ Coaching Shakeup
In Cleveland, the offseason rarely takes a day off-and this one is already off to a dramatic start. Myles Garrett, the Browns’ defensive cornerstone and now a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, has once again found himself at the center of the conversation. This time, it wasn’t a trade request or a dominant performance on the field-it was a cryptic Instagram Story that sent Browns fans and insiders into a frenzy.
Just as news broke that the Browns were hiring Todd Monken, Garrett posted a meme showing a tired Wendy’s employee slumped over on break. No caption.
No clarification. Just vibes-and a whole lot of questions.
Naturally, the timing raised eyebrows. Was Garrett reacting to the Monken hire?
Was he unhappy with the direction of the team? Browns GM Andrew Berry stepped in quickly to cool the speculation, telling reporters that Garrett had been informed of the Monken decision before it went public.
According to Berry, there was no surprise on Garrett’s end-at least not about Monken.
But that’s not the full story.
According to ESPN’s Browns insider Daniel Oyefusi, the post may have been more about who wasn’t staying in Cleveland than who was coming in. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz-who had reportedly wanted the head coaching job-resigned after it became clear he wouldn’t get it. Schwartz, who transformed the Browns’ defense into one of the league’s most feared units, wasn’t interested in sticking around under someone else’s leadership.
That’s where things get personal for Garrett.
Under Schwartz, Garrett didn’t just thrive-he dominated. He set a new single-season sack record and anchored a defense that consistently kept Cleveland competitive. The two shared a strong working relationship, and it’s easy to see why Garrett might be frustrated watching his coordinator walk out the door.
So when that Instagram post went up-right as Schwartz’s resignation and Monken’s hiring were making headlines-it wasn’t hard to connect the dots. Garrett may not have said anything outright, but the message was loud enough to spark a wave of speculation.
And while Garrett has every right to express himself, the moment underscores the unique pressure that comes with being the face of a franchise. Every move, every post, every emoji gets dissected.
That’s the reality for a player of his stature. In this case, the timing of the post-intentional or not-added another layer of complexity to an already delicate situation.
It’s not about policing emotion. Garrett has built his reputation on passion, intensity, and a relentless drive to win.
But in moments like these, leadership isn’t just about what you do on the field. It’s about how you handle the moments off it-especially when the locker room is watching.
The Browns are entering a new chapter. Monken brings a fresh offensive vision, and the team is still loaded with talent.
But losing Schwartz is a big shift, particularly for a defense that had found its identity under his guidance. Garrett will now be tasked with helping maintain that standard without the coordinator who helped elevate him to new heights.
This offseason is still young, and Cleveland has plenty of time to steady the ship. But if the Browns are going to take the next step, they’ll need their biggest star to steer through the noise-not add to it.