WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV (92.3 The Fan) – Browns defensive end Myles Garrett took the high road Tuesday when asked to respond to recent criticism from a former teammate about his leadership.
Malik Jackson, who played for the Browns during the 2021 season, ripped Garrett during an appearance on NFL Network’s ‘Good Morning Football’ where he also announced his retirement on July 14.
Garrett politely brushed off the criticism.
“I saw [the comments], but he has a right to his opinion and we’re all learning as we go,” Garrett said. “And leadership is a fluid thing. It takes different shapes and forms depending on the room and depending on the person. And I can lead in the only way that I know how, and I only can continue to grow as a leader and we'll continue to lead together. It’s not just one person.
“We have a lot of experience in the room and we have to be together. We have to do this together and one voice shouldn't speak louder than any other. We have to all be pushing at the same rate in the same direction. And that's how winning teams, winning groups are made.”
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Jackson was a 2012 fifth round pick who played 10 seasons with four different teams – Denver, Jacksonville, Philadelphia and Cleveland.
He did not hold back regarding Garrett’s leadership ability.
“Myles was a young player," Jackson said on NFL Network, “and I don’t think his leadership skills were the best at that time, but as he’s gotten older he understands what it takes, and he has had a lot of guys around him to show him what he needs to do. And I think he needs to take that bull by the horns and just lead more by example as far as in the classroom because we all know what he can do on the field but to be able to go in the classroom, command that respect, and tell guys what to do is really where I think he really needs to take that jump.”
The Browns finished a disappointing 8-9 that year while Jackson started all 16 games where he broke up four passes while registering seven QB hits, half a sack and two tackles for loss.
“Maybe my leadership style just didn’t fit him,” Garrett said. “I can only lead how I know how to, and I don’t know if the result of the season played any part in how he felt about my leadership style, but I have the utmost respect for him. I think he’s a consummate pro. I think he’s a great guy. He looked out for a lot of us.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski complimented Jackson’s contributions his one year in Cleveland while politely pushing back on the thought that Garrett does’t lead.
“I would tell you with Myles and how he leads and how he works, I think he does a really nice job,” Stefanski said. “I think the young players see a guy that has come a long way. Myles, he’s not a pup anymore, but he is growing into that leadership role and does a nice job of it.”
Cornerback Greg Newsome II also disagreed with Jackson’s comments.
“I think he's doing a great job as a leader,” Newsome said. “He’s definitely a positive role model. He’s definitely a talkative person and I think he does a great job. Not all leaders have to be the most vocal, that’s not how it is. Like Anthony Walker is a leader. He is a very vocal guy. Myles is a leader. He’s vocal, but he also has that he's going to show [by] his play on the field.
“So I didn't agree with that leadership thing. I mean, leadership looks different in different ways. Denzel Ward is a great leader. He’s more so of a guy who's going to show that he’s going to do the right things. He’s not as vocal. So I mean leadership is not defined in one way.”
Garrett, selected first overall in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Browns, is coming off back-to-back 16-sack seasons – a new franchise single season record – and he is well on his way to building a Hall of Fame worthy resume as a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All Pro.
As Cleveland’s best defensive player, everyone – fans, media, and even teammates seem to look in his direction to set the tone behind the scenes and take control of the locker room – at least on his side of the ball.
Not all great players are born to be great leaders. Is it possible that Garrett could to be one of them?
“I think leadership is natural to most people. I think it just comes in different shapes and forms,” Garrett said. “Some people lead with examples, some people lead out front with their chest or their words. It just all really depends on you and your style.
“There’s just different ways to do it and as we grow up and develop and mature, things start to blend, you start to pick up on those things, they start to come more naturally.”
Garrett has been seen multiple times during these early workouts coaching up a pair of 2022 picks – third rounder Alex Wright and seventh rounder Isaiah Thomas.
“It’s not about trying to teach the young guys,” Garrett said. “You know, everybody can learn from every individual. There are some young guys who have some things that I haven’t seen or have some instincts that maybe I pick up on and same here. Older guys tend to have a little bit more experience, have seen a little bit more. As a new crop comes in, new guys come in, there’s always going to be something a little bit different.
“We’re just learning from each other and just trying to pass along the information that we have.”