Myles Garrett Traded To Los Angeles Rams in Major NFL Deal
The Cleveland Browns are sending two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. This significant trade involves the Browns acquiring pass rusher and linebacker Jared Verse, who earned the 2024 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year title. Also included in the deal is a 2027 first-round draft pick and other selections yet to be clarified. Three individuals, who requested anonymity due to the trade not being finalized, provided this information to The Associated Press.
Garrett has been noticeably absent from offseason activities at the team facility, although he made a couple of trips to Cleveland during the Cavaliers’ NBA playoffs. Notably, Garrett holds a minority stake in the Cavaliers. Browns’ head coach Todd Monken mentioned that he hasn’t met Garrett face-to-face since becoming coach in January, although defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg has communicated with Garrett by phone regarding defensive strategies. Garrett had supported Jim Schwartz for head coach, but ownership chose Monken. Schwartz resigned after three years in Cleveland.
Garrett was the unanimous choice for last season’s Defensive Player of the Year after achieving 23 sacks and breaking the NFL single-season record. Despite this success, he has been unhappy with the Browns’ performance, having an 8-26 record over the past two years after making playoffs in 2023. Garrett requested a trade after the 2024 season but had signed a four-year extension worth $204.8 million last March, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. This contract included a no-trade clause, allowing Garrett to decide his future team. However, discontent continued. Garrett and the Browns agreed to alter his contract, deferring option payments over 2026-28. A $10 million payment due on May 28 was postponed to early regular season.
Garrett stated on January 2 before a game against Cincinnati, “I’m committed to winning, and as long as the team and organization are committed to that same thing, I’m all on board. But if we’re thinking anything other than winning — tanking or rebuilding, that’s not me.”
Since purchasing the franchise in 2012, Dee and Jimmy Haslam have hired and fired six coaches who have totaled a 73-139-1 regular-season record, marking the NFL’s second-worst. The Browns have achieved only four winning seasons since rejoining the NFL in 1999.
This trade is another striking move by Rams’ GM Les Snead, known for leveraging draft picks to acquire star veterans. Snead acquired cornerback Jalen Ramsey in 2019 and quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2021, both key to the Rams’ championship success. Recently, Snead traded for cornerback Trent McDuffie, contributing to revamping the secondary, a former team weakness.
Jared Verse, picked by the Rams among few first-round selections in nine years, shined over two seasons, with 4 ½ sacks in his rookie year and 7 ½ sacks with three forced fumbles last season. Teammates Byron Young and Kobie Turner added significant contributions as well.
The Rams are strong preseason contenders, winning 12 games and reaching the NFC championship last season. With Stafford leading an effective offense and the defense enhanced by stars like McDuffie and Watson, the Rams added Garrett, boosting their roster significantly. The team now boasts leaders in passing yards, touchdown passes, receptions, and sacks for the 2026 season.
After their 2022 Super Bowl win and subsequent downfall in an injury-marred 2022-23 season, Snead shifted briefly from draft-focused strategies. Key drafts reshaped the defensive line with Verse, Young, Turner, and Fiske, alongside All-Pro receiver Nacua.
With the current roster poised as Super Bowl favorites, Snead’s strategic moves not only bolster the defense but also position the Rams for potential future success.
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AP Pro Football writer Rob Maaddi also contributed to this story.
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