Shannon Sharpe Calls Out Myles Garrett: “You Took the Money — Now Own It”

A Frustrated Star in Cleveland

The Cleveland Browns’ 2024 season was one to forget — just three wins, endless frustration, and yet another year without meaningful progress. Amid the disappointment, defensive superstar Myles Garrett made headlines by requesting a trade, citing his “desire to win” as the main reason for wanting out.

But just as quickly as the trade rumors heated up, they disappeared. Why? The Browns offered Garrett a massive deal — a record-breaking $40 million per year with $100 million guaranteed and, notably, a no-trade clause. Garrett accepted.

That’s the decision that former NFL great Shannon Sharpe is now calling out.

Sharpe’s Message: “You Can’t Have It Both Ways”

On his hit show Nightcap, Sharpe didn’t mince words when addressing Garrett’s recent comments about how “losing gets old.” The Hall of Famer reminded everyone that actions speak louder than words — and money talks loudest of all.

“You can’t say it gets old when you took the money,” Sharpe said.
“You said you wanted a chance to win. They dangled $40 million per year, gave you $100 million guaranteed — you took the money. You can’t complain.”

Sharpe’s point was simple: Garrett made his choice. If winning was truly his top priority, he had the option to pursue a trade or test free agency for a contender. Instead, he committed long-term to the same team he claimed was holding him back.

The Consequences of a Choice

Garrett is one of the most talented defensive players in the NFL — a generational pass rusher capable of changing games on his own. But as Sharpe emphasized, greatness doesn’t exempt you from accountability.

When Garrett signed that deal, he knew exactly what kind of organization he was staying with. The Browns weren’t on the verge of a Super Bowl run. They still lacked a stable, franchise-caliber quarterback and a reliable offensive identity.

“He knew what he was signing up for,” Sharpe continued.
“He knew the team’s plan and the moves they were going to make. Nothing they told him in that meeting should’ve made him think they were going to compete for a championship this year.”

Sharpe’s critique hits at the heart of a larger truth in professional sports — you can’t chase both legacy and money without accepting the trade-offs.

The Myth of “Having It All”

Many star athletes believe they can strike the perfect balance: get paid top dollar and win championships. But in the NFL, where salary cap restrictions force teams to make hard choices, that dream rarely becomes reality.

By demanding and accepting one of the richest defensive contracts in league history, Garrett limited the team’s ability to spend on other areas — including offense and depth. That means less support, more frustration, and slower progress.

As Sharpe noted, life — and football — simply doesn’t work that way.

“Some professional athletes think they can have it all,” Sharpe said. “But life doesn’t work that way.”

In other words: you can’t demand winning conditions while taking the lion’s share of the team’s budget.

Time to Lead, Not Lament

Sharpe didn’t just criticize Garrett — he challenged him. Now that the deal is done, the only way forward is to accept responsibility and lead.

“Now, all he can do is be a pro and a grown man,” Sharpe concluded. “Face the decision he made head-on, and do his part to turn the team around.”

That means being the emotional and professional anchor for a struggling franchise. It means setting the tone in the locker room, mentoring younger players, and continuing to dominate on the field — even if wins are hard to come by.

Garrett’s leadership could still change the course of the Browns’ future. But as Sharpe made clear, that transformation has to start with self-awareness.

The Bigger Lesson

In the end, Shannon Sharpe’s message isn’t just for Myles Garrett — it’s for every athlete who faces the crossroads between money and meaning.

Garrett chose security, loyalty, and wealth. There’s no shame in that — but it comes with expectations. If he’s going to stay in Cleveland, he has to stop looking back and start looking forward.

He can’t complain about the losing culture he signed up for. He has to be the one to change it.

Because in the NFL — and in life — you can’t cash the check and still question the cost.