Cleveland Browns All-Pro Myles Garrett responded to explosive comments delivered by defensive end Jadeveon Clowney that got Clowney sent home on Friday.
“I want volunteers, not hostages,” Garrett said, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. “If you feel like no one believes in you here, then go. Go where you feel like you’re wanted, you’re loved and you can be appreciated.”
Interestingly, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin offered a similar “volunteers as opposed to hostages” quote, one Garrett seemingly heard back in December 2021.
Clowney told Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Thursday he was “ninety-five percent sure” he won’t return to the Browns for the 2023 season. The 29-year-old added he feels he needs “to be around somebody that believes in me and my ability,” and he also accused the Cleveland coaching staff of giving Garrett favorable matchups versus less-talented offensive linemen because the franchise is “trying to get somebody into the Hall of Fame when all that matters is winning.”
Garrett insisted the Browns are focused on what matters most.
“I think everyone’s concerned about winning games, and I disagree with seeing it that way,” Garrett responded to Clowney’s accusation. “I think the guys in our room and really the guys in our organization, our sole focus this season’s been on winning and getting everyone good matchups, and trying to get everyone a way to win. It’s not just trying to get me good looks or someone in particular, we’re all trying to find a way to win and all trying to get some success on the field. Because everyone is trying to get towards the postseason and the Super Bowl.”
The Browns fell well short of their goal. They missed the playoffs in part because starting quarterback Deshaun Watson served an 11-game suspension related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. As for Garrett, ESPN stats show he enters Week 18 fourth in the NFL with 15 sacks on the season.
Cleveland (7-9) ends the campaign at 8-8 Pittsburgh with a chance to prevent its division rival from playing in the postseason. Clowney’s status for that game is unclear ahead of the weekend, but it’s believed he won’t make the short trip to Pittsburgh.
