Myles Garrett‘s time in Cleveland is coming to an end. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is being traded from the Browns to the Rams, Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Adam Schefter report.
The package heading from Los Angeles to Cleveland includes edge rusher Jared Verse and a first-round pick, per the report. This swap is not official yet, as Browns GM Andrew Berry confirms (video link via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com). Once it is processed, though, it will no doubt go down as a seminal moment for both franchises.
Garrett has been the subject of trade speculation since he requested to be dealt last spring. That request was rescinded when a then-record extension was worked out. The seven-time Pro Bowler seemed to be in position to remain with Cleveland for years to come, but questions continued to be raised after the 2025 campaign saw him add further to his long list of accolades without any accompanying team success. Indeed, speculation about a trade lingered through the 2026 offseason.
In March, the Browns restructured Garrett’s contract in a way which did not add any new money or years to the pact. Nevertheless, the payment dates for his option bonuses were pushed back to one week before the start of the regular season. That move extended the window of opportunity for a trade – something Cleveland has denied would be taking place on multiple occasions – to be worked out.
June 1 is always a key checkpoint on the NFL calendar, and it was recently labeled the point after which a Garrett trade could occur. Just like the case of A.J. Brown, a deal formally being worked out any time after 3:00pm this afternoon will greatly impact the salary cap implications of the deal. Proceeding with this trade in a post-June 1 fashion will generate $8.34MM in cap savings for Cleveland with a $41MM dead money charge being spread out (and accounting for $15.53MM in 2026). Garrett’s contract runs through 2030.
Per Rapoport (video link), the Rams engaged in trade talks with the Browns shortly after the contract adjustment was made. Their efforts continued through the draft, with Cleveland remaining steadfast in rejecting offers. Things changed when Los Angeles general manager Les Snead offered to include Verse in the deal, though. Negotiations on an adjusted package of picks have now resulted in an agreement. Per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Rams informed Verse of the news earlier today.
Garrett has made clear his intention of playing on a contending team particularly toward the latter stages of his career. This blockbuster trade will help in that regard; the Rams fell just short of a Super Bowl appearance in 2025 and have made other win-now moves on defense since then. Garrett will join cornerback Trent McDuffie as a new face tasked with elevating Los Angeles’ defense while the teams seeks out another high-end campaign from quarterback Matthew Stafford and Co. on offense.
The Rams were a strong Brown suitor, but Breer notes their inability to acquire him helped set up this Garrett push. Another lucrative pact – one which averages $40MM per year – is now on the books, but Los Angeles will have a future Hall of Famer leading the way along a defensive front which was already among the league’s best. This acquisition will further deprive the Rams of draft capital (which was critical in establishing the post-Aaron Donald core on defense); then again, Snead’s stance when it comes to picks is rather well known.
Verse, whom Schefter notes was born in Dayton, Ohio, has enjoyed a strong start to his career. The 2024 first-rounder took home Defensive Rookie of the Year honors while thriving in a full-time starting role. Last season, the 25-year-old collected a second Pro Bowl nod in as many years while posting 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. His rookie contract runs through 2028, and Cleveland could keep him in place for a longer period via the fifth-year option.
More to come…
woah.
John Schneider how do you respond?
He can’t we don’t have the money to add another star
I’m prepared for Darnold running for his life just like what Aaron Donald did to Russell Wilson
The Rams strike again!!! Tho, not a bad haul for the Browns it appears, Jared Verse is underrated!
He’s a 2 time Pro Bowler – each of his first 2 years. How is he underrated?
Verse is a stud but just he and a first is a little light.
Not when you factor in Verse is paid nothing and doesn’t need a new contract for a couple years. They could flip Verse for a #1+ EASY if they wanted to.
especially the 1st will be from a Superbowl contender, so 28 through 32. Depends what the “other considerations” are.
Myles is a punk arse biatch who should have been banned from nfl for swinging his helmet with intent to do bodily harm. No place for a POS like that in football.
Great trade by the Browns.
And James Harrison was a gentle giant and a saint
Oh the pearl clutching. The NFL has kept guys around after much worse.
Holy sht
Holy cow
Verse and a 1st
Rams should have offered straight draft picks and kept verse. Even if Cleveland was “insistent” on Verse still should have pushed harder to only draft picks
Verse is a very solid linebacker, very athyletic, good add for cleveland. Still cannot believe they traded Garrett. wow
Verse laughs during one interview and they run him out of town?
I think this is more of a, let’s trade for the best player in the league thing and not anything against Verse
Wow wtf
Browns got FLEEEEEEECED.
If browns get 2 firsts and verse or 1 first plus bunch of other picks and verse then it’s a fair deal
How so? They gave up the best, but got back a really good younger DE, plus a 1st (though admittedly it will be a very low 1st), and other considerations. It really depends on that the “other considerations” are.
Just happy to know all my Niner friends are SICK rn haha
Yeah right. Shanahan owns McVay. Look at the head to head records. Niners will still move the ball at will against the Rams
Oh my god. That’s wild. Excited to see Garrett on a contender. A (presumably) low first round pick plus a player is surprisingly low, but Verse is really good, cheaper, and fits the Browns timeline better. Shocked this happened, shocked it’s the Rams. Fun to see such a big surprise.
This makes the simpson pick even worse IMO. Youre super all in and not often a sb contender picks that high
That aside though what a great move this is for Rams
On the other side-
I feel so bad for Browns fans. Total mismanagement
Actually I think it helps offset the Simpson pick. Which wasn’t even a horrible pick to begin with.
100%. Imagine if they added an impact player there as well.
If they add an impact player at that spot they probably don’t trade for Garrett to keep ammo for a future qb. And nobody they pick there is better than Garrett.
How are they super all in trading for a player signed 4 more seasons?
This is not a bad trade for the Browns, depending on what the “other considerations” are. Verse: young, very good edge, plus a 1st (admittedly it will be a low 1st rounder) and something else, not named yet. If it’s 2nd in 2027 or 1st in 2028, that’s a really good deal.
I can’t imagine what Verse must be thinking. To go from the young stud on a Super Bowl contender to the Browns!
Younger cheaper player that might pass Garrett up in a year or two plus a 1st. I prefer the Browns side.
Werent people saying it would have taken like 3 first rounds picks lol, that definitely feels a little light tbh
They got a first, a former first who is really, really good, plus “other considerations”. We don’t know those yet. If it’s a 2028 1st, or 2027 2nd or even 3rd, it’s a good deal.
BROWNS WILL BE BROWNS!! lol
Rams already sold their soul for one Super Bowl win. Guess they are going to try it again
LA pulls of another Doncic fleece.
That doesn’t seem like a ton for Garrett. Another Edge and a late 1st round pick? People were asking for more than that for Hendrickson and Maxx. One has a bum knee and the other is old. Seems light.
There are other considerations, not announced yet. They’re still negotiating those. If it’s 2nd or 3rd round picks, it geta lot nicer.
Obviously the Rams are all in this season….but If Stafford goes down due to injury….the Rams are screwed…..
Well, the Browns lost on of the GOATs. They got a late 1st round pick, a very young former 1st round pick who is very “good (Pro Bowl!) and “other considerations”. If those considerations are 2nd and 3rd round picks, or 2028 1st round pick, I like the deal.
Damn those Rams…….haha