It's the dawn of a new era of Cleveland Browns football, and we're not even talking about Todd Monken. This is the first A.G. year in Berea, as in "After Garrett."
Losing Myles Garrett would have probably been the biggest storyline of the offseason for most teams, but these are the Browns. Something's always happening. Regardless, it won't be long before pundits, analysts, and broadcasters bring this trade back up repeatedly over the next 18-plus weeks.
While no one can argue that Garrett is one of the best — if not the best — players in the league, the Browns won't lack guidance and leadership through the storm. As Browns analyst Dan Labbe pointed out, Maliek Collins is more than capable of stepping up and being the vocal presence all teams need in the locker room.
"It’s hard to justify having a player on a roster just because of his leadership, but when you can find a player like Collins who can produce at a high level and who embraces being a leader, it’s one of the most valuable things to have in a locker room. The sacks and production are great. The things about Collins that can’t be quantified matter just as much," Labbe wrote.
Maliek Collins is uniquely positioned to help guide the Browns' young defense through life after Myles Garrett
Collins is finally back on the field after missing much of training camp. He suffered a season-ending calf injury in Week 13 of the 2025 season, taking him off the field after posting a career-best 6.5 sacks and taking a big leap in the pass-rushing department.
The Browns have a young building block in Mason Graham, and Collins, who was more popular for his run-stuffing abilities than his pass-rushing prowess, might be the perfect mentor to help him take his game to the next level.
There's no such thing as replacing a player of Garrett's caliber. It takes a village, but the Browns should be well-equipped to hold their own in the trenches, even if there are some well-documented depth issues.
All teams need veteran leaders, guys who can lead by example and uphold the standard, regardless of whether they're the best player on the team. And while Jared Verse has seemingly embraced that role, Collins has been in Cleveland longer and has more experience.
Garrett was always the best player on the team, but some questioned his leadership style and how popular he actually was in the locker room. That's by no means a reason to trade him or be glad he's no longer in the building, but it is what it is.
Collins' bull-rushing skills and ability to collapse the pocket will be paramount in the post-Garrett era. He should clear the way for Graham and Verse as a double-team/chip-block specialist. And while he's not getting any younger at the age of 31, he should still have plenty left in the tank.
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