Browns DE Myles Garrett More Likely To Get Raise Than Be Traded?

The Browns’ recent adjustment to Myles Garrett‘s contract once again stirred trade speculation about the five-time All-Pro, but the team has consistently refuted those claims. A pay raise to match the top of an ever-rising edge rusher market is thought to be more likely, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano.

Garrett, 30, requested a trade last offseason and instead received a four-year, $160MM extension that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. He has since been surpassed by six players, including four edge rushers led by Micah Parsons at $46.5MM per year.

Now, Will Anderson is projected to approach a $50MM AAV on his long-term extension with the Texans. But statistically, Garrett is still the best in the league. Last year, he set a single-season record with 23.0 sacks and led the NFL with 33 tackles for loss, which earned him his second Defensive Player of the Year trophy in the last three years. Until and unless another player is able to match or surpass his production, he will always have an argument to see his contract value rise with the market.

Cleveland was willing to hand Garrett a new deal last offseason, perhaps partially out of appreciation for his patience with their never-ending rebuild. But he is now under contract through 2030, so a raise via an extension may not make sense. The two sides could instead agree on an entirely new deal, which may have been the motivation for the recent contract modification. By pushing back the option payment date, they have more time to see where the market goes over the next few months and reward Garrett appropriately before the season begins.