Andrew Berry Press Conference — June 2nd, 2026

[0:00] All right, morning everyone. So I'll be honest, I did not have this preference conference on my [0:06] bingo card for this spring. I know you all have heard me say for a number of years at this point [0:12] that, you know, Miles Garrett, he's a foundational player, you know, Hall of Fame worthy, and a [0:19] homegrown talent that's been here for the decades. And, you know, our intent was to have him be a [0:24] one helmet player for his career. And that was the truth. And even to this day, you know, when [0:31] Miles's, you know, career is over, we look forward to welcoming him back, you know, into the [0:35] organization. But there are moments, you know, particularly in my job where, you know, opportunities [0:43] come up that quite honestly are unexpected. And they force you to stop and reevaluate and look at [0:50] and say, hey, you know, is this something that could be, you know, really beneficial to the [0:54] team. And that was the case in this instance, where, you know, it got to a certain point [1:01] where we looked at, you know, what the trade details were. And we asked ourselves, okay, you [1:10] know, do we hold here, regardless of, you know, how, you know, because of how emotionally right [1:17] it felt? Or do we ultimately make a decision that that, you know, we think has a huge benefit, [1:24] you know, to the team in both the short, you know, and long term, you know, I'd always told [1:29] myself that if, you know, we were ever in a position where we were going to trade miles, [1:35] three things would have to be true. Number one, it would have to have short and long term benefits. [1:39] Number two, as part of the trade, a young cost controlled star at a premium position would have [1:45] to be included. And the third piece is that there would have to be premium draft capital. [1:49] And there's a very small set of, you know, deals that really satisfy those constraints. [1:58] So when it got to the point with our negotiations with the Rams, when, you know, all those things [2:03] were satisfied, it really, you know, caused us to take a step back and think about, you know, [2:08] really think about the decision. You know, Jared Verse, he's obviously a huge part of this return [2:14] for us. You know, Jared is an outstanding football player, former defensive rookie of the year, [2:21] two-time original ballot pro bowler. He's a perfect DNA match for our attacking front. [2:27] He's really a terror in both phasers, excuse me, both phases, both as a, you know, run defender [2:32] and a pass rusher. And we are really, really excited to add him to our team. He allows us to [2:38] continue to play defense as a high level, which has been our standard over the past several seasons. [2:43] And we're really excited to welcome him into the organization. [2:47] So we're excited about this transaction. It wasn't something that we anticipated, [2:53] certainly coming into this year or coming into the spring or quite honestly coming out of the draft. [2:57] But it's a great opportunity for our team. And I know there are a ton of questions. [3:02] So I'll open it up. [3:03] I guess why now? And do you regret not just when Miles asked me to ask for the draft? [3:14] Yeah, no, no regrets, Scott. And in terms of the why now, the why now is just, honestly, the opportunity was too great. [3:22] It wasn't something, it wasn't like a plan A going into the offseason. Quite honestly, we would have operated differently if it was. [3:27] But sometimes things come across your path that you're just, you're not expecting. [3:32] And you can't be so dogmatic in your strategy and planning that you can't adjust and be flexible to great opportunities. [3:40] Were you able to have conversations with Miles leading up into this moment, like meaningful conversations leading up into this? [3:47] Let me just, for clarification, Kim, regarding the trade or just more generally? [3:51] Like, I guess both. [3:53] Yeah, you know, both. Like, you know, like Miles, Miles was a good communicator throughout the spring. [3:58] We obviously talked through the coaching search, free agency, before the draft. [4:03] He was good in terms of, you know, sharing his travel plans in the offseason and things like that. [4:07] So that was all very, very normal, as he's been accustomed to later in his career. [4:12] We did not blindside Miles with the news yesterday. [4:15] Obviously, he's a, he's a, was a well-tenured member of the organization, someone that, you know, we expect to retire at Brown. [4:24] So he was made aware about a week ago that it was a possibility. [4:29] And that's, you know, that's, that's a courtesy that, you know, that obviously we owe him. [4:34] So the communication was good with him. [4:35] You did not consider Miles' absence, travel plans, ghosting a protest to get up to lead the team? [4:46] He didn't ghost. And, and, and Tony, no, not at all. [4:49] I mean, you know, Miles', Miles' offseason ritual is pretty consistent the past couple years. [4:56] And Miles was good in terms of communicating with us throughout the spring. [4:59] So, no, I, I know there's been a lot of conspiracy theories with that type of narrative, but, you know, that, that had zero impact on the trade. [5:08] Andrew, going back to the, the contract restructuring, whatever you want to call it, in the offseason. [5:13] When you did that, did you, I mean, you've talked about flexibility, but did you ever think at that point that you were going to, you know, [5:23] when you got past June 1st, that this was, this was a distinct possibility, or? [5:28] No, I mean, like, I, I'd like to sit here and say it was some grand master plan, but it really wasn't. [5:32] What it did do is, honestly, probably because of a lot that was reported, that is what originally caused L.A. to, to, to reach out and check in. [5:42] And we said, hey, look, he wasn't, he wasn't available. [5:45] To their credit, they were really, really persistent. [5:48] And then, really, things kind of picked up after the draft. [5:50] Were you able to, like, explain maybe a lot of further clarity on why the date was moved back? [5:56] Because, I mean, it ultimately benefited you in terms of, you know, salary cap. [6:00] Yeah, I don't talk about our contract management strategies, as you know, Daniel. [6:03] I understand the curiosity with it. [6:06] You know, it's one of the situations where probably the truth is a lot more boring than you all think. [6:12] But I'm not going to comment on our strategy. [6:14] In terms of fans and people thinking that this move means you guys are tanking, what can you tell the fans about that? [6:24] And then also, like, a corollary to that would be, does this mean that Denzel could possibly be on the trading block now? [6:33] I guess I'd say two things. [6:35] I'd say, number one, all of our goals are still in front of us. [6:38] You know, we have, you know, excellent defense with really good players and on three levels. [6:44] And, you know, Jared, he's an outstanding. [6:46] He's one of the best players in the league. [6:48] And so we're excited to have him as a part of our team. [6:51] To the second part of your question, I just, I guess I'd maybe clarify your line of question, Mary Kay, [6:59] in the sense that, like, we weren't, Miles wasn't on the trading block. [7:03] We weren't auctioning him off. [7:06] This is not something that was a primary consideration going into the spring. [7:09] Andrew, had Miles indicated to you that he wasn't to be in trades and stuff? [7:14] No, there was no, like, you know, trade request or anything like that, you know, Dan. [7:20] Obviously, you talked through it a little bit earlier because he did have the no trade clause. [7:24] And obviously, he was pleased with L.A., but that wasn't the primary consideration. [7:28] He wasn't on the block. [7:30] You weren't auctioning him off. [7:33] If there had been reports that this was the only team that you seriously engaged in talks, [7:38] why not open up the bidding and try to get a few more picks out of it? [7:42] That wasn't the goal. [7:43] That wasn't the goal of Miles. [7:44] And probably what I mentioned on the onset, if we were to trade Miles, [7:48] it's a very narrow universe of deals that satisfy it. [7:52] You know, everyone wants to have a Miles Garrett on their team, [7:55] but, you know, not everyone can afford that acquisition cost in terms of players' picks and dollars. [8:01] And so, yeah, that was not the intent of any of it. [8:07] Andrew, you can – [8:08] Let me go here first, and I'll come back to Tom. [8:09] To go back to Mary Kay's question about maybe some of the other veterans, [8:13] I mean, there's been so much change, obviously, for them these last few months, [8:18] now with Miles gone too. [8:19] Like, do you plan on having any conversations with them, [8:22] or do you feel like they know, like, hey, our goals are the same? [8:25] Like, do you feel that there's that sentiment there after a move like this? [8:28] Actually, change is commonplace in the NFL. [8:31] And roster turnover is commonplace in the NFL. [8:35] You know, we have good communication with all of our players. [8:37] You know, we obviously – for a move of this magnitude, you know, [8:42] we communicate directly with them. [8:44] So, you know, they hear it from us and they understand everything that's involved. [8:48] But we have a good group of guys in that locker room, [8:50] and we're really excited about the core. [8:52] Go ahead, Tony. [8:53] Some might argue that you received more for Travis Hunter than you did for Miles Garrett. [8:59] Even if you don't acknowledge that, [9:01] do you think Miles' age was the one factor that you couldn't get more? [9:06] I'll tell you what, we're very pleased with the return we got, Tony. [9:10] I mean, you know, I think for us, you know, getting a player of Jared's caliber, [9:17] you know, plus the pick considerations, you know, was excellent. [9:22] It's, you know, something that we certainly didn't expect coming into the spring. [9:26] Let me go, Zach, and then I'll go to you, Daryl. [9:30] When teams called in February 25, what did you tell teams then? [9:35] No, no. [9:39] Do you have a follow-up? [9:41] Yeah. [9:41] You just weren't doing it. [9:43] Yeah, I was like, yeah, we're not interested in trading Miles. [9:46] Are there, I guess, expectations, if you will? [9:54] A lot of people, you know, say those picks aren't as good [9:58] because they're likely going to be in the back end of the rounds, [10:03] and therefore it wasn't enough. [10:05] Even with, you know, Jared, just what would you say to that? [10:08] You know, the first, the second, and the third likely could very well end up in the back end of those rounds. [10:18] Yeah, I think that I'd say a couple things to that, Daryl. [10:21] I'd say number one, you know, the combination of picks and players is we think is excellent. [10:27] But we're really pleased with it, short and long term. [10:31] You know, I'd say the second piece of that in terms of, you know, us today on June 2, you know, [10:37] assuming where we know those picks, like, you know, we all probably have to have a little bit of humility [10:41] because we just don't know how the season's going to unfold. [10:43] And probably the third part is, you know, realistically, any team that is making a move for a player of Miles' caliber, [10:52] you know, they feel like they're in their window or they are in their window. [10:57] You know, there's unlikely to be a deal out there where, you know, you're getting an expected top five pick out of it, [11:04] you know, which is why the volume of picks and particularly the inclusion of Jared was incredibly important. [11:12] You said that you didn't have this on your finger card. [11:17] So I'm just wondering, is there a moment you can pinpoint where it went from being, [11:22] no, this is never going to happen to, oh, this is seeming like it is. [11:26] The inclusion of Jared in the deal, yeah. [11:30] Let me go Fred and then I'll come back to you, Tony. [11:32] Andrew, I know quarterback's always a topic, but when you look at Miles, [11:38] obviously his biggest asset, do you see any way, get the first pick, [11:43] how that can help you ultimately solve the quarterback? [11:47] Yeah, I understand and respect, you know, the question. [11:52] We're way too premature to figure out how we're going to deploy that asset. [11:59] We've got an entire season to play. [12:01] We've got a group of players that we're really excited to see this fall. [12:04] And, you know, we'll deal with 2027 and 2027. [12:09] Is that, you know, one of the reasons maybe you delay a little bit [12:14] to see if you could use that as a chip to get yourself in position? [12:19] No, I'd say, honestly, it's independent of any present circumstance, Fred. [12:24] Like, you know, the return with Jared plus the resources we just felt was too great to turn down. [12:30] I said Tony next, then I'll go. [12:33] Todd Monken came out strongly against pursuing Brendan Soresby. [12:36] What is your attitude toward the participation in the supplemental draft if he is in it? [12:44] Yeah, we haven't had a supplemental draft in a while, or I guess a couple years now. [12:49] No different than we do every year. [12:51] We'll do the work on all the prospects, [12:52] and then we'll make the appropriate decision for the organization. [12:56] Andrew, let me go to Spencer, and I'll come back to you, Mary Kay. [12:59] You mentioned that you have some season to play. [13:05] How do you kind of square with, I guess, mostly the fan base who see this trade [13:10] and maybe feel like it's a concession of 2026 [13:13] and maybe setting Todd Monken up for failure and all that [13:17] and just kind of looking more towards the future? [13:18] Yeah, you know, Spencer, I think I understand the, you know, emotional reaction of, [13:26] you know, Miles, look, we've known him since he's 21 years old, [13:29] coming out of Texas A&M. [13:31] We've seen him grow up here and everything like that, [13:33] and he's accomplished really great things for us on the field. [13:37] And so there's always an emotional tie for someone who's going to be one of the franchise, [13:42] you know, the franchise greats, so certainly understand that. [13:45] You know, in terms of the second part of your question, you know, [13:49] don't see it that way at all. [13:51] We're really excited about Jared. [13:53] We're really excited about this defense. [13:54] I know Monk's really excited about, you know, bringing Jared into the organization. [14:01] But, you know, everything's still right in front of us in terms of that regard. [14:05] Yeah, go ahead, Daniel. [14:06] Do you think that you could have gotten a similar return for Miles last year, correct? [14:12] I don't know. [14:13] Like, we didn't shop him. [14:14] Do you think the messaging, maybe your actions have been maybe a little bit inconsistent [14:20] when you talk about, you know, adding talent and still wanting to be competitive [14:24] and then going away and trading, you know, the best player, you know, arguably in the NFL? [14:29] Do you think your messaging and maybe your actions have been a little bit incongruous over the past years? [14:34] I'd say this. [14:34] Look, I didn't expect to be up here talking about a Miles Garrett trade, Daniel. [14:38] You know, this is not my favorite thing to do because, like I said, [14:42] I didn't have it on the bingo card, and I realize how strong I've been with Miles. [14:45] But, you know, the reality is when you have an opportunity to do something that has strong [14:53] both short- and long-term benefits, like we have to be flexible with it. [14:58] So, you know, we're real excited from a team perspective. [15:00] Two questions. [15:01] Let me go back. [15:03] Two-part questions. [15:04] One, I know all trades are tough. [15:07] Where does this rank in all the moves you've made in terms of emotional time? [15:12] I don't know that I could rank them. [15:14] Obviously, like, it's tough because it's Miles, and I've known him for so long. [15:20] But the benefit of that is, you know, look, Miles will be a part of, you know, [15:26] many of our lives beyond his playing career. [15:29] You know, it's maybe more of a see you later as opposed to a goodbye to sound maybe a little bit corny. [15:36] So, like, that part is tough. [15:39] But they're all tough because these are human beings. [15:41] They're not commodities, and their lives change. [15:47] Value of moving him post-June 1st now versus, let's say, a couple weeks where you know a package from one team [15:55] and not potentially shop around. [15:56] Is it just package too good to see what other organization could offer? [16:02] I guess I don't quite understand the question. [16:03] You're saying what's the – do you mind repeating it so I can try and get it right? [16:06] So I understand moving him at June 1st, the money, but if you weren't willing to shop him around, [16:13] could you have potentially looked later down the road in the summer? [16:18] Like, why now, yesterday versus maybe in two weeks when, in theory, you could potentially shop him around [16:23] to get a better offer versus what the Rams gave? [16:26] So I think it goes back to two things that I said previously. [16:29] We weren't shopping him around. [16:31] That was not the intention to trade him. [16:33] And then, number two, the characteristics that I described in, like, any deal in which Miles Garrett would be included, [16:40] like, it fell at our feet. [16:43] You know, and Jared's a big part of that along with, you know, the draft pick resources. [16:47] So it's really as simple as that. [16:49] Go ahead, Mary Kay. [16:50] Two points later. [16:51] First of all, a follow-up on Denzel. [16:54] Last year when Miles was on Radio Royal Super Bowl, I talked to Denzel, [16:59] and he mentioned that if Miles were traded, it would make him kind of question what his own situation was here. [17:06] So I'm wondering, have you guys heard from Denzel and have reassurance that he's fully on board [17:13] and committed to the program in the aftermath of this? [17:15] So I'd say, number one, I think it's probably most appropriate for Denzel to speak for himself. [17:21] Number two, Denzel's been great throughout the offseason. [17:25] His communication's been good. [17:26] And he's a big part of the team. [17:29] And we like him a lot. [17:31] He's still playing at a really high level. [17:33] That doesn't change with this transaction. [17:35] And then the top thought that I have there is that how has Jared Hurst reacted to the trade, [17:41] you know, going from a Super Bowl contender to a team that's building towards that right now? [17:45] He was very excited yesterday when we talked to him on the phone. [17:49] He's ready to go, I think. [17:51] He's really excited to play in this scheme. [17:53] I think maybe some of you already know he's from Dayton, Ohio. [17:56] His sister's still here and everything like that. [17:58] But he's going to be fun. [18:00] He's a ton of energy now. [18:02] There'll be some colorful quotes for everybody in this room. [18:05] And if you're a quarterback, the quarterback still remains the elephant in the room. [18:09] Whether or not you have the solution in-house right now is still in question. [18:13] If it is not, can you still win and achieve the goal of finding that franchise quarterback? [18:23] Because obviously the more games you win, the lower you are in the draft. [18:27] Yeah, Darrell, I don't love dealing with hypotheticals, especially about the draft when we're in May [18:31] and haven't played a season. [18:33] All I can tell you is we're focused on the guys that are in the building. [18:35] They've had a really nice spring. [18:37] I'm really pleased with Monk and the staff. [18:39] And we're excited about the season. [18:41] So when will he get here? [18:46] And where do you see the fit? [18:48] He was listed as a linebacker with the Rams with his defensive lineman in college? [18:53] So expect him to get here, assuming no travel issues. [19:00] I guess today's Tuesday. [19:01] Tuesday evening, this evening. [19:02] And then you guys should get a chance to see him and meet him tomorrow. [19:08] You know, I think the blurring of outside linebacker and defensive end, [19:12] that's really what you're seeing in today's game. [19:15] He's a perfect fit as an edge rusher for our defense. [19:19] How do you feel your thin depth-wise defensive line? [19:23] I think you could add depth everywhere, honestly, Tony. [19:26] Like, you know, the roster building process, it's literally every day. [19:31] And if we can find, you know, guys that we think can upgrade at any spot, [19:38] we'll look to do so. [19:39] Kind of in the middle between, you know, the roster, [19:43] you've gotten the roster so much younger, and we've talked about that, [19:45] versus doing a complete rebuild, right, which would require, [19:50] might require training guys like Miles. [19:52] Do you feel at all stuck in the middle trying to win, [19:54] but also trying to redo this roster? [19:57] I don't. [19:57] And I guess I maybe go back to what I mentioned this spring. [19:59] I don't necessarily agree with the implicit assumption that younger means worse. [20:05] You talked about who Miles was to this franchise and this organization. [20:13] And obviously your goal is on the football field primarily, [20:17] but you lose a face of the franchise, a staple in the community. [20:20] So where do you feel like the roster stands in terms of that kind of player? [20:23] Do you have those kinds of players to kind of step in [20:26] and fill those shoes of the role that Miles held, [20:30] not just in the locker room, but around Northeast Ohio? [20:32] Yeah, I'd say this. [20:33] I think one of the toughest things in professional sports [20:35] is when players who everyone knows their name locally leave [20:40] and new ones that they don't know the names of, you know, take their roles. [20:45] I think, you know, probably could have asked me the same question, [20:47] you know, with Nick Chubb last year, right? [20:51] And, you know, we saw, you know, Quinchon come in [20:54] and make himself a household name in Northeast Ohio [20:57] or, you know, David Njoku this year. [20:59] And, you know, we have Harold Fan. [21:00] And so I think that, look, professional sports can be cyclical at times. [21:06] And that's always tough, you know, in these moments. [21:12] But we are really excited about, you know, a number of the players [21:15] that we have in the locker room that I think our fans will either continue [21:19] to get more familiarity with or gain familiarity with over the upcoming season. [21:23] Andrew, you talked a lot about Jared [21:28] and how Jared was sort of the piece that made you do the deal. [21:32] How long have you sort of, I don't know if covet's the right word, [21:36] but how long have you sort of been kind of zeroed in on him as a player [21:40] that you guys really like? [21:42] I mean, this would go all the way back to the 24 draft. [21:45] I mean, just what is it about him that made him just such a swing piece in this? [21:51] You know, we liked him a lot coming out. [21:54] You know, we weren't, you know, really in position to take him, [21:58] you know, obviously the year that he came out because he came out in 24. [22:02] You know, that, I would say that probably had less of a bearing on this, [22:06] you know, this transaction. [22:08] But, you know, what made it really easy is he's like an outstanding player [22:11] at 25 years old at a very, very hard to find position. [22:15] So, yes, like we're excited to have him specifically. [22:20] But, you know, it's not necessarily like this was like a, you know, [22:23] a two-year focal point in the making. [22:24] You mentioned it being an emotional, obviously, decision for you guys [22:29] as an organization. [22:30] Can you speak at all to the emotions maybe shared with Miles [22:35] and what his emotions kind of were like in understanding what was kind of happening? [22:40] You know, I think it's more appropriate for Miles to comment on that. [22:43] But what I can share is that it just was a really good meeting. [22:50] It was bittersweet is maybe the way I would describe it. [22:54] But I'd probably let him comment on it more than me. [22:58] Go ahead, Tony. [22:58] I literally remember Todd at his introduction saying Miles was one of the reasons [23:03] this job was attracted to him. [23:05] So what was his reaction when you told him you're not going to have the best player [23:09] in the league? [23:09] Yeah, you know, Todd was excited in terms of the deal. [23:11] He, you know, he understood the short and long-term, you know, benefits. [23:19] Again, it's not about, you know, not wanting a Miles Garrett on your team. [23:26] But he's very excited to have Jared. [23:28] He's very excited to have, you know, the additional resources. [23:33] And Todd's really smart. [23:34] Like, he understands the short and long-term ramifications. [23:38] And I think, you know, one of the things that's unique about this deal relative to, [23:43] you know, maybe the other non-QB superstar deals that come out is that we made a trade [23:50] with, I guess, you know, multiple, you know, players and picks. [23:58] And usually when you make these trades, you're completely trading off present for future. [24:03] And to get a player like Jared in the deal, where the defense still maintains its excellence, [24:10] you know, that was really attractive to us. [24:14] Jared's upside potential edge rusher, as I see, you know, he went from like four and a half [24:19] to seven and a half. [24:20] Where do you see that going? [24:21] And do you feel like with what you have on the team now, you can accomplish the pressure [24:27] and the pass rush that you want to generate? [24:29] Absolutely. [24:31] I, you know, I wouldn't sit here and, you know, put a cap on any player's ceiling. [24:36] I just know the list of players that have been defensive rookie of the year and original [24:43] ballot pro bowlers in their first two seasons is very small. [24:48] Been more of a pressures guy than a sex guy so far in his career. [24:53] What is your philosophy on the relationship between those two statistical categories? [24:59] Yeah, I'd comment less on that and just say, this is a guy who really gets after the quarterback [25:03] really well. [25:07] All right. [25:08] Thank you. [25:08] Thank you.