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Browns GM Andrew Berry weighs in on Myles Garrett trade request, more at NFL combine
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- Browns GM Andrew Berry weighs in on Myles Garrett trade request, more at NFL combine
INDIANAPOLIS — Browns general manager Andrew Berry took center stage Tuesday afternoon at the NFL combine,
Berry spoke for 20 minutes at a podium inside the Indiana Convention Center. He then spent another 12 minutes with assorted Cleveland area media in a side session.
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The primary topic of conversation was the trade demand by defensive end Myles Garrett . However, he also touched on a variety of other subjects, including quarterback Deshaun Watson 's injury, the pursuit of another quarterback, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah 's health and running back Nick Chubb 's future.
Here's a look at Berry's answers to some specific questions he was asked at the combine:
What is the status of the Browns' position on Myles Garrett's trade demand?
"Myles, as you guys have all heard me say, he's a huge part of our organization," Berry said. "He's a really good person, he's an awesome player. We understand the trade request and everything, but our stance really has not changed. We can't imagine a situation where not having Myles as a part of the organization is best for the Browns." So I just want to hit that off the top and with that I'll open up for questions."
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What about Myles Garrett saying Cleveland Browns ' vision didn't align with his own?
"We've had plenty of dialogue with Myles really since he's been a Brown, and certainly after the season with him and his camp," Berry said. "Certainly understand his frustration from last year. We're all frustrated, but our focus is obviously making the changes and the pieces to make sure that we don't feel like we did at the end of last season."
Is there a potential timeline for Cleveland Browns to work out an extension with Myles Garrett?
"I think if you've probably seen over the past five years, whenever you get into extension talks, they can happen at any time," Berry said. "I've learned not to predict those because oftentimes those negotiations, they can go up and down and back and forth. I think if you look at our history through 2020, we've had some that have occurred in March or April. Some that have occurred in June, July, some that have occurred in season and some who have occurred as late as December. So I can't begin to predict, but we really do take the approach with our cash and cap planning. We take a multi-year time horizon and to accommodate the flexibility that we need."
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What details do you have about QB Deshaun Watson's re-injury to his Achilles?
"Unfortunately, he turned his foot, ankle area that caused the re-tear during the normal stages of the recovery process," Berry said. "I know there's been a lot of speculation everything out there, but there's nothing nefarious. It's just an unfortunate accident. So our focus is on making sure that he gets healthy and can be back to normal."
What is the timetable for QB Deshaun Watson's recovery?
"It's probably too early to pin that down with certainty," Berry said. "He will miss significant time. How far that spans into 2025. I can't give you a specific right now. He's shown to be a fast healer and we're going to try and be as thoughtful and aggressive with the recovery process, but that's something that I couldn't predict at the current moment."
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Do the Cleveland Browns need to find a starting QB before the NFL draft?
"Yeah, I'd say just taking out timing, whether it's before the draft or after the draft or during the draft, improving the quarterback play, that's a big part of the offseason," Berry said.
Does Andrew Berry think this is a weaker QB draft class as others?
"I think that remains to be seen," Berry said. "I always use the example of 2017. That was supposed to be like a down year of the quarterback, and arguably the guy who will retire as the greatest of all time was taken 10th overall in the draft, Patrick Mahomes . So you never really know how it's going to turn out. Our job is really just to do the work we can to get these guys focused as players and make the decision that's best for us."
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How do the Cleveland Browns plan on approaching the QB market?
"Yeah, we will always be aggressive," Berry said. "That's something that we believe in. Now I mentioned at the podium how we pull on different levers at different times, it may look different depending on what opportunities present themselves. We're really fortunate this year that we have a great opportunity with the number 2 pick and 11 overall, but if there are opportunities on the veteran market or the trade market or whatever that piece, that's something that we'll certainly attack and explore."
Would Cleveland Browns be willing to trade No. 2 overall pick?
"Yeah, I think all those discussions are too early," Berry said. "I guess I'm open to anything that would help us improve the team, but none of those decisions have been made yet."
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What is the update on Cleveland Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah's recovery?
"I wish I had a specific update for you on Jeremiah," Berry said. "I could say that he's slowly making progress. He's going through all that's required medically, but I don't have anything specific on that."
Do the Cleveland Browns expect RB Nick Chubb to sign before the start of free agency?
"I would say at this point that we do expect Nick to hit the market," Berry said. "Obviously his contract is up this year. We'll meet with his reps and everything like that, but it's something that obviously we need to work through over the next couple weeks."
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Would Cleveland Browns be happy with either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders at No. 2?
"Both of those guys, they're excellent players, they're excellent prospects," Berry said. "We're looking forward to spending more dedicated time with them, not only this week, but moving forward. They're impressive young men, not only on the field, but everything that their programs say about them. So all those decisions remain to be seen . But it's been a good start with them so far."
What position does Andrew Berry think Colorado's Travis Hunter would fit at best?
"Well, I'd say this, in terms of Travis Hunter, cornerback or receiver?," Berry said. "The answer is yes. So he can play both and I think that's what makes him special. We would see him as a receiver primarily first, but I think part of, again, what makes him a bit of a unicorn is the fact that he can do both at a high level."
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What are Cleveland Browns' concerns with OT Dawand Jones after knee surgery?
"I'd say that the individual injury itself is, let me knock on wood on this because this went the wrong way for us last year, but the injury individually of itself is not something that is creating a lot of anxiety," Berry said. "But what we do want to focus on is making sure that the won can end the season healthy, because durability, it is a huge part of it, and we're a better team when he's on the field and he's healthy. So that's a major, major focus of his offseason programming."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns GM Andrew Berry weighs in on Myles Garrett, more at NFL combine
