The Cleveland Browns have traded star edge rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for linebacker Jared Verse and three draft selections. The blockbuster deal reshapes both franchises' defensive outlooks heading into the upcoming season.
Garrett, 30, is a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. Since the Browns drafted him first overall in 2017, he has compiled 125.5 sacks, 413 pressures, and 149 tackles for loss, leading the league in all three categories during that span. In 2025, he set the single-season sacks record with 23 despite playing for a struggling Cleveland team that finished 5-12 and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Garrett had requested a trade in 2024 after the Browns went 3-14, expressing his desire to play for a championship-contending team. A month later, the franchise signed him to a four-year, $160 million extension averaging $40 million annually with $122.8 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history at that time.
The lingering frustration over the organization's direction ultimately led to the trade. General Manager Andrew Berry said the team faced a critical decision about holding onto an elite player or making moves beneficial for the long-term future. "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 after announcing the deal.
The contract was restructured to facilitate the trade, with option payments deferred into the 2026-28 seasons. A payment due March 28 was pushed to near the start of the regular season.
Cleveland receives Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round selection, and a 2029 third-round pick. Verse, 25, was the Rams' first-round choice in 2024 and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. The standout pass rusher made the Pro Bowl this past season with 12 career sacks and 22 tackles for loss.
The Rams, who lost to eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle in last season's NFC championship game, have a history of pursuing high-impact trades. In 2021, they acquired Matthew Stafford from Detroit, and he led them to a Super Bowl victory in his debut season. That championship game was played at home in Los Angeles, and Super Bowl LXI will also take place at SoFi Stadium next February.
Garrett's arrival marks a significant defensive upgrade for Los Angeles and reunites him with quarterback Matthew Stafford, who won the AP NFL MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards last season.