During the 2025 offseason, there was real noise-however brief-about the Cleveland Browns potentially parting ways with their defensive cornerstone, Myles Garrett. The Pro Bowl pass rusher reportedly requested a trade during Super Bowl week, but before free agency even kicked off, cooler heads prevailed. Garrett and the Browns came to terms on a contract extension, keeping one of the game’s most dominant defensive forces in Cleveland for the foreseeable future.
But let’s pause for a moment and imagine a different outcome. What if Garrett had pushed harder to get out?
What if the Browns had been willing to listen? And what if the New England Patriots-flush with cap space and in the middle of a bold roster overhaul-had made a move?
It’s not as far-fetched as it might sound. The Patriots were aggressive this past offseason, adding defensive lineman Milton Williams, edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, and wide receiver Stefon Diggs in free agency.
That’s not the behavior of a team content to rebuild slowly. That’s a franchise looking to compete now.
Adding a player like Garrett would have been a logical extension of that strategy.
And let’s be honest: Garrett on a team like New England? That’s a scary thought.
Despite the Browns’ struggles-sitting at 3-12 heading into the final weeks of the season-Garrett has been nothing short of sensational. With 22 sacks on the year, he’s just one shy of breaking the NFL’s single-season sack record. That’s not just elite production; that’s historic territory.
Now imagine those numbers in a different context. If Garrett were playing for a team like the Patriots-a team more often playing with a lead, forcing opponents into pass-heavy game scripts-there’s a good chance he might’ve already shattered the record. On a winning team, he’d have even more opportunities to pin his ears back and hunt quarterbacks.
And that’s the real “what if” here. Garrett’s dominance isn’t in question.
He’s doing this on a team that’s often playing from behind, where opposing offenses can stay balanced and avoid obvious passing situations. Put him in a situation where teams are chasing points and have to throw?
That’s when pass rushers feast. And Garrett, with his rare blend of speed, power, and technique, is already feasting.
He’d be gorging.
Of course, this is all hypothetical. Garrett is still in Cleveland, and based on his production, he’s not mailing it in-far from it. He’s continuing to show why he’s one of the most feared defenders in football, regardless of his team’s record.
But it’s hard not to wonder: in a different jersey, on a different team, with more support and more high-leverage situations-just how high could Garrett’s ceiling go?
The Browns kept their star. But in another universe, the Patriots might’ve landed the final piece to a terrifying defense.