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Myles Garrett should not play for Cleveland Browns again in 2019

By Cody Williams

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Myles Garrett #85 of the Cleveland Browns looks over the offense during the second half of a game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Browns 24-19. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Myles Garrett #85 of the Cleveland Browns looks over the offense during the second half of a game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Browns 24-19. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Myles Garrett’s actions were absolute indefensible in the brawl between the Browns and Steelers and he should be suspended for the rest of 2019.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL. But after Thursday Night Football in Week 11, he shouldn’t be playing another snap in the 2019 season. If the league doesn’t suspend him for at least the rest of the year — if not more — it’s a complete failure on their part.

At the end of the Browns’ victory over the rival Steelers on Thursday, Garrett took Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph to the ground and held on longer than he should. Rudolph retaliated physically to the play, pawing at Garrett’s head. The Browns star then took things to a completely indefensible level.

As Rudolph got to his feet, Garrett ripped the quarterback’s helmet off and then, in something that seems too unbelievable to be true, he swung the helmet at Rudolph’s head and hit him with it. That then escalated the brawl further, including Steelers lineman Maurkice Pouncey punching and kicking Garrett to and on the ground.

The NFL has been preaching player safety for quite some time and, if they want to be taken seriously, they have to take strong, decisive action in suspending Garrett. As Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield said after the game, Garrett’s actions were “inexcusable” and have no place in a professional football game.

At the very minimum, Myles Garrett needs to be suspended for the final six games of the 2019 season. Even if it stretched into the 2020 season, that would also be warranted. This wasn’t just a fight that got out of hand — this is a mammoth human being using a helmet as a weapon to hit an opposing player in the head.

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Any punishment for Garrett short of taking him out for the rest of the season is too lenient. Even if Rudolph started the skirmish, what the defensive standout did was about 500 miles over the line you can’t cross in that situation. And the consequences of his actions should match the severity of what he did.

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