Myles Garrett’s whirlwind tour of Japan with his rumored girlfriend and Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim comes at a time when his Cleveland Browns teammates are busy working at the team facility in Barea, Ohio.
‘Tryna buy a place her [as soon as possible],’ Garrett wrote on social media alongside a photo of himself shopping on the streets of Tokyo. ‘[Hit me up] if you know someone.’
Known as organized team activities (OTAs), the spring practices are not mandatory. They are, however, being attended by all healthy Browns players outside of veterans Garrett, Diontae Johnson, Greg Newsome II and David Njoku.
But while coach Kevin Stefanski stressed to reporters that it’s ‘their prerogative,’ Garrett’s absence comes weeks after the All-Pro defensive end signed a four-year extension worth $160 million, including $123.5 million in guarantees. And that factor appears to have divided fans.
‘Myles Garrett is annoying,’ one critic wrote on X before referencing the 29-year-old’s withdrawn off-season trade demand. ‘Should’ve traded him.’
‘Leaders show up,’ another added.
Some wondered if Garrett is really in Japan – an understandable question given the English-language signs in the background – but Daily Mail has verified those stores are in Tokyo
NFL Player Myles Garrett and Snowboarder Chloe Kim attend the photocall for Crunchyroll Amine Awards 2025 Red Carpet at Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa on May 25
Many more defended Garrett, who has been the most consistent presence in the Browns’ locker room over the last eight seasons while being named to six Pro Bowl teams and earning AP Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023.
‘The real question is why aren’t OTAs in Japan with Myles Garrett?!?!?’ one fan joked on X.
‘Bro is the best [defensive end] in the league he doesn’t need to be there,’ another added.
Most commenters focused on one key word: voluntary.
‘Who cares?’ a Garrett defender asked. ‘They are voluntary.’
‘Voluntary,’ another added. ‘Myles shows up every single season.’
Garrett and Kim have not officially confirmed their romance, but did travel to Japan together
Browns rookie defensive tackle Mason Graham (right) is still waiting to practice with Garrett
Some wondered whether Garrett’s photo actually shows him in Japan, which is an understandable question given the English-language signs in the background. However, Daily Mail has confirmed the used clothing store behind Garrett, Modescape, is indeed located in Tokyo’s trendy Shibuya neighborhood.
It’s worth noting that Garrett has continued training this offseason and was even seen working out with Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons.
Garrett rescinded his trade offer prior to signing his contract extension in Cleveland, which further bolstered its defensive line by drafting former Michigan star Mason Graham with the fifth pick in last month’s NFL Draft.
Since then, Garrett had been rather quiet this offseason until last week, when he joined Kim, the Olympic gold medalist and American snowboarding icon, on the red carpet of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Tokyo. Garrett had not been linked with anyone in his personal life before appearing at the anime award show with Kim.
Thursday is the final day of the current OTA session in Berea, but players will be back from June 3 to June 5 before mandatory minicamp later in the month, where Garrett is expected to participate.
