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Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett has been accused of trolling his new head coach Todd Monken.

The Cleveland Browns have publicly downplayed Myles Garrett’s offseason approach, but it’s beginning to attract the wrong kind of attention, with some around the league questioning whether there’s more behind it than meets the eye.

The star pass-rusher has been absent from voluntary team activities, which on its own isn’t unusual. Garrett is coming off his second Defensive Player of the Year campaign after posting a record-setting 23-sack season. He’s long followed a routine of training away from the team with proven results.

But there is a new variable in play. Head coach Todd Monken, hired in January, acknowledged he has yet to meet Garrett in person. Their communication has been limited to occasional text messages — and not many at that.

“I’ve communicated with Myles via text, but we haven’t met in person,” Monken said. “It hasn’t been a lot. It’s fine. This is voluntary. We’re making a big deal out of this. We really are. It’s voluntary. We have other guys besides Myles that aren’t here. I wish they were here. They’ll be ready. We expect them to be ready. And we’ll be fired up when they’re here.”

Myles Garrett Accused of ‘Trolling’ Browns Coach Todd Monken

When the Browns hired Monken as head coach in January, Garrett almost immediately posted a meme to his Instagram story showing a tired Popeyes worker slumped outside. It was widely read as a reaction to the Browns passing over former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, whom Garrett had publicly supported. It also immediately raised questions about Garrett’s buy-in with the new regime.

Now the absences are piling up and Garrett has not made much of an effort to get to know the new coaching staff, which also includes defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg, who is taking over for Schwartz.

ESPN Cleveland’s Aaron Goldhammer did not mince words on what he believes Garrett is doing.

“When you look at the full body of evidence — from the ‘Popeyes lady’ Instagram post, which conveyed how he felt about Todd Monken’s hiring over Jim Schwartz, to his lack of attendance, and the fact that he hasn’t even spoken with Monken,” Goldhammer said. “Meanwhile, he’s at a Cavs game, cheering and waving a towel on the Jumbotron. Myles is trolling his new head coach.”

Trade Rumors Amplified by Myles Garrett’s Absence

Garrett’s offseason approach has only fueled speculation about his future in Cleveland. The All-Pro pass rusher has been at the center of trade chatter, particularly after the Browns reworked his contract in a way that, at least on paper, could make a deal easier to execute.

Still, general manager Andrew Berry has firmly pushed back on that narrative, reiterating the organization’s stance.

“Myles is a career Brown,” Berry said. “He is one of the faces of our organization. I think we’ve been very clear both past and present in terms of our feelings. I understand all the questions. I’ll be honest, I don’t really want to waste a ton more breath on the topic.”

As for the absences, Monken said that the team was aware that Garrett — as well as other veterans like Denzel Ward and Jerry Jeudy — would not be in attendance for the voluntary minicamp.

“Yes, we were informed. And really all of the players have informed us. They’ve been unbelievable with their communication. So is Myles. Doesn’t mean I like the communication, but it’s voluntary,” Monken said. “I wish they were all here right. I’ve said that plenty of times. But every one of them is a Brown and we’re excited that they are.”

The Browns have mandatory minicamp scheduled for June, at which point Garrett is contractually obligated to attend.