After months of denying any interest in trading their most prized asset, the Cleveland Browns decided to pull the trigger on a Myles Garrett trade after all.
On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter in conjunction with his new NFL Network colleagues broke the news that the Browns are finalizing a deal to send Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick and other draft compensation still being negotiated.
Trading Myles Garrett made sense for the Browns
While parting ways with a two-time Defensive Player of the Year still in his prime might be disappointing to Browns fans, this trade actually makes sense for Cleveland. And as the Browns embark on a new era under head coach Todd Monken, the franchise is in a better position for the future following on the Garrett trade.
Garrett, 30, is coming off the best season of his nine-year career. He broke the NFL’s single-season sack record with 23, he matched his personal-high with 60 total tackles and he even forced three fumbles and deflected a pass. It wasn’t possible to ask for more production from Garett during the 2025 season. But none of it mattered.
Garrett hasn’t been able to help the Browns win enough
Despite Garrett’s individual prowess, the Browns suffered through another losing season (5-12), their second in a row and seventh since drafting the five-time First Team All-Pro with the No. 1 overall pick in 2017.
In his career to this point, Garrett has 125.5 sacks and 412 combined tackles in 134 games. With Garrett, the Browns only made the playoffs twice, going 1-2 in the postseason.
Cleveland’s lack of team success with Garrett as he put together a career that ensures him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame made flipping him for value smart. With the Browns still multiple years away from contention, using Garrett as a trade piece was the only way to help expedite the rebuild.
Garrett trade should help expedite Browns’ rebuild
The Browns got a proven player in Verse, a first-round pick in a draft that’s expected to include a deep quarterback class and the possibility of more back for Garrett. All in all, that’s a massive return for a player who hasn’t been able to impact winning no matter how great he’s been.
Not nearly at the level as Garrett, who will likely enjoy more success and win more with an improved supporting cast with the Rams, Verse is also five years younger with plenty of room to keep getting better. He recorded 7.5 sacks with 58 tackles last season after posting 4.5 sacks and 66 tackled as a rookie, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Los Angeles’ interest in acquiring Garrett is clearly part of its “all in” mentality for 2026, but it’s very possible that the Browns end up the real winners from this blockbuster trade when it’s reviewed in several years.
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