The Cleveland Browns have officially begun their voluntary offseason workout program, but the team will be without the presence of their star defensive end, Myles Garrett, at the outset. Reports from multiple sources, including NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, confirm that Garrett will not attend the voluntary portion of the Browns' offseason activities scheduled to begin in early April 2026.
While news of Garrett skipping voluntary workouts is not unprecedented within the NFL or even for the Browns' own practices, it raises questions about its implications for the team's defensive preparations heading into the 2026 season. However, context and precedent suggest that this is a professional decision focused on optimizing Garrett's performance over the long haul.
Voluntary Workouts and Veteran Player Management
It is important to underline that the NFL offseason workout program is divided into three distinct phases. The first phase, which starts in April, focuses mainly on strength and conditioning, injury recovery, and classroom instruction about schemes and playbooks. Participation during this period is entirely optional.
For elite veterans like Garrett, who recently earned the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, opting out of the voluntary phase to follow a personalized training regimen elsewhere is quite common. This approach allows for more specialized work on targeted physical conditioning, injury prevention, and skill refinement. It also reduces the physical toll early in the offseason, particularly for a player who carries the burden of being the Browns' defensive centerpiece and faces constant double teams and heavy offensive focus.
The Browns organization, led by General Manager Andrew Berry and Head Coach Todd Monken, is reported to be in full communication with Garrett about his offseason plans. The choice for him to skip voluntary workouts is collaborative and aims at ensuring he is at peak readiness for the mandatory minicamp and training camp sessions later this summer.
Leadership Implications and Defensive Development
Myles Garrett's absence during the voluntary sessions removes a valuable leadership presence for younger and less experienced defensive players. As a foundational figure in Cleveland's defense, Garrett not only influences the line of scrimmage with his pass-rushing prowess but also sets standards for work ethic and professionalism.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and other developing Browns defenders benefit greatly from being around Garrett, whose example consistently elevates the entire defense. Without him physically there at the start of the offseason, other veterans and the coaching staff have a heightened responsibility to maintain the culture of accountability and detailed preparation that Head Coach Todd Monken and Defensive Coordinator Mike Rutenberg have emphasized.
Nonetheless, the voluntary nature of this phase means that the team can still develop younger players, rookies, and new additions intensively during these sessions, preparing them for the full-team mandatory workouts that follow. The Browns' coaching staff remains heavily involved in installing defensive concepts and reinforcing fundamentals during this window.
The Bigger Picture: Offseason Timing and Strategy
The real barometer for Garrett's impact on the defense will come with his return for the Browns' mandatory minicamp and subsequent training camp later this year. Those gatherings are critical for on-field chemistry, scheme implementation, and full-team cohesion.
Garrett's modified offseason schedule underlines the broader realities of managing star players in today's NFL. Balancing rest, recovery, and work is essential for maintaining elite performance levels across long, grueling seasons. The Browns have demonstrated a commitment to supporting Garrett's chosen approach to his physical preparation, trusting his professionalism and motivation to ensure strong performance when it counts.
Conclusion: No Alarm, Just Strategy
While any absence of a franchise-defining player during team activities draws attention, Garrett's missing the voluntary workouts should not be viewed as cause for concern. This is a commonly accepted practice among top-tier players, especially those coming off dominant seasons and heavy workloads.
Provided Garrett reports healthy and ready for mandatory team sessions, there is every reason to expect him to continue his role as one of the NFL's most disruptive defensive forces. The Browns' championship aspirations remain firmly tied to his ability to stay at peak form, and the current plan appears designed perfectly with this goal in mind.
As the offseason continues, eyes will remain on the team's progress as well as Garrett's physical condition. When he does return to the fold, look for the Browns' defensive star to resume his role as a game-changing presence and leader on the defensive front.
