The Los Angeles Rams completed a blockbuster trade to acquire star edge rusher Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns on Monday. Rams general manager Les Snead spent months pursuing the deal during the offseason, ultimately securing one of the most significant trades in recent NFL history.
Garrett, 30, is a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. Since Cleveland drafted him with the first overall pick in 2017, he has become one of the league's elite defensive players. In the time since his draft, Garrett leads the NFL with 125.5 sacks, 413 pressures, and 149 tackles for loss. Last season, he set a single-season sacks record with 23, earning All-Pro honors despite the Browns' 5-12 record.
The Rams sent linebacker Jared Verse and three draft picks to Cleveland in the exchange. Verse, 25, was a first-round selection by Los Angeles in 2024 and won Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Browns received a 2027 first-round selection, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round selection.
Garrett had requested a trade from the Browns in 2024 after Cleveland finished 3-14. He desired to play for a team with realistic championship aspirations. The following month, he signed a four-year, 160 million dollar extension with the Browns that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history at the time. The deal included 122.8 million dollars in guaranteed money and an average annual salary of 40 million dollars.
The Browns and Garrett agreed to modify his contract in March, deferring option payments over the 2026-28 seasons. This restructuring allowed the franchise to complete the trade. Browns general manager Andrew Berry said the team faced a critical decision. "As discussions intensified we were stuck at a legitimate crossroads: do we hold on to a truly generational player who has become the identity of our team, or do we make the difficult decision that we think is best for the organization over the long run?" Berry stated.
Coach Kevin Stefanski was fired in January and replaced by Todd Monken, the former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator. The organizational changes compounded Garrett's frustrations about the franchise's direction.
The Rams, who lost to the Seattle Seahawks in last season's NFC championship game, have a history of aggressive trades. In 2021, they acquired Matthew Stafford from Detroit in a blockbuster quarterback swap. Stafford led Los Angeles to a Super Bowl victory in his first season.
This acquisition marks the first time an Associated Press NFL MVP and Defensive Player of the Year will be teammates. Stafford won his first MVP award last season. The trade positions the Rams to compete with a premier edge rusher anchoring their defensive line heading into the upcoming season.
Garrett addressed the financial aspects of joining his new team, stating that acquiring his preferred number 95 jersey from the Rams cost him "more than a couple bucks."