After years of expressing frustration with Cleveland’s rebuilding efforts, Myles Garrett has finally landed with a team positioned to compete for a championship.
The Cleveland Browns agreed to send the reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday in one of the biggest trades of the NFL offseason. In return, Cleveland receives standout pass rusher Jared Verse and three future draft selections.
The move marks the end of Garrett’s nine-year tenure with the Browns and gives the Rams one of the league’s most dominant defensive players.
Trade Details: Browns Receive Verse and Draft Capital
As part of the deal, Los Angeles sends the following assets to Cleveland:
- Jared Verse
- 2027 first-round draft pick
- 2028 second-round draft pick
- 2029 third-round draft pick
The trade was made possible after Garrett and the Browns agreed earlier this year to restructure portions of his contract, including delaying option payments scheduled between 2026 and 2028.
One payment worth approximately $10 million, originally due in March, was pushed back until closer to the start of the regular season.
Garrett Joins a Super Bowl Contender
Garrett has long expressed a desire to play for a consistent winner, and the Rams offer exactly that opportunity.
The veteran defensive star requested a trade following the 2024 season despite signing a four-year extension worth $204.8 million in March 2025. At the time, the contract made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history and included a no-trade clause.
Although Browns general manager Andrew Berry had repeatedly stated that Garrett would spend his entire career in Cleveland, both sides ultimately agreed it was time for a fresh start.
The Browns have struggled recently, posting an 8-26 record over the last two seasons after reaching the playoffs in 2023.
Historic Pairing in Los Angeles
Garrett’s arrival creates a unique situation in Los Angeles.
For the first time in NFL history, the reigning AP NFL Most Valuable Player and AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year will play on the same team.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who earned his first MVP award last season, now joins forces with one of football’s most feared defenders.
Garrett is expected to arrive at the Rams’ facility shortly and address the media regarding the trade.
Browns Explain Decision to Move On
Following the announcement, Berry acknowledged the difficulty of trading away a franchise cornerstone.
He described the organization as facing a major crossroads: either continue building around a generational talent or make a move designed to benefit the team’s long-term future.
The Browns ultimately chose the latter, believing that adding a younger defensive centerpiece and multiple draft assets better aligns with their rebuilding timeline.
Team owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam also released a statement supporting the trade, noting that while moving Garrett was never their original plan, the opportunity to acquire Verse and additional draft capital was too significant to ignore.
Jared Verse Becomes Centerpiece of Browns’ Future
Cleveland’s return package is highlighted by Jared Verse, the 2024 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Verse quickly emerged as one of the league’s most promising young pass rushers after entering the NFL.
His production includes:
- 4.5 sacks during his rookie season
- 7.5 sacks last season
- Three forced fumbles
The Browns believe Verse can become a foundational player for their defense moving forward.
Berry praised the young defender’s energy, relentless playing style, and long-term potential, describing him as a perfect fit for the identity Cleveland wants to maintain on defense.
Garrett Leaves Behind a Historic Browns Career
Despite the team’s struggles, Garrett established himself as one of the greatest defensive players in franchise history.
The 30-year-old enters the next chapter of his career with several remarkable achievements:
- NFL record of six consecutive seasons with at least 12 sacks (2020-2025)
- Eight straight seasons recording double-digit sacks
- 125.5 career sacks
- Two AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards
Last season alone, Garrett registered 23 sacks, setting a new NFL single-season record and earning unanimous Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Emotional Farewell to Cleveland
Following the trade, Garrett shared a heartfelt message directed to Browns fans and the Northeast Ohio community.
Reflecting on his nine seasons in Cleveland, he credited the city for teaching him resilience, perseverance, and loyalty through difficult seasons, injuries, setbacks, and constant challenges.
Garrett thanked fans for their unwavering support throughout his time with the franchise and expressed gratitude for the role Cleveland played in shaping both his career and personal growth.
Rams Continue Aggressive Team-Building Strategy
The acquisition is another major move by Rams general manager Les Snead, who has built a reputation for trading draft picks to acquire elite veteran talent.
Previous blockbuster additions under Snead include:
- Jalen Ramsey
- Matthew Stafford
- Von Miller
- Trent McDuffie
The strategy helped deliver a Super Bowl championship in 2021 and has kept Los Angeles among the NFL’s top contenders for much of the past decade.
Rams Strengthen an Already Elite Roster
Los Angeles enters the 2026 season with one of the league’s strongest rosters.
The team is coming off a 12-win season and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game, and many analysts already viewed the Rams as a Super Bowl contender before the Garrett trade.
Now, the roster features several league leaders from last season, including:
- Matthew Stafford (NFL MVP)
- Puka Nacua (receptions leader)
- Davante Adams (receiving touchdowns leader)
- Myles Garrett (sacks leader)
Adding Garrett further strengthens a defense that had already undergone significant upgrades during the offseason.
Trade Could Reshape Both Franchises
For the Rams, acquiring Garrett represents another bold attempt to capitalize on a championship window and pursue another Super Bowl title.
For the Browns, the deal signals a commitment to youth, long-term roster building, and financial flexibility.
Whether the trade ultimately benefits one side more than the other may not be known for several years, but it unquestionably represents one of the most impactful NFL transactions in recent memory.