Myles Garrett was dealt to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster trade on the first day of the 2026 NFL offseason, sending the former No. 1 overall pick to a new home and forcing the Cleveland Browns to start over again.
What happened?
The Browns exchanged Garrett for defensive end Jared Verse, a 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, plus a first‑round pick in 2027, a second‑rounder in 2028 and a third‑rounder in 2029. The deal, announced in early August, marks one of the most extensive trade packages in recent NFL history. Cleveland’s front office framed the move as a long‑term rebuild, hoping the draft capital will fuel a new core while Verse adds immediate depth on the defensive line.
Why it matters for Myles Garrett
Garrett entered the league as the 2017 No. 1 overall selection and quickly built a résumé that includes a record‑setting 23‑sack season, drawing comparisons to legends like Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White. Yet his nine‑year tenure in Cleveland produced only two playoff trips, one postseason win and no division titles, leaving a 54‑79‑1 record while he was on the field. The trade finally gives Garrett a chance to join a Rams squad that reached the NFC Championship in 2025 and could leverage his elite pass‑rush talent toward a Super Bowl run.
How the Browns plan to rebuild
Cleveland’s roster already features a promising 2025 draft class, highlighted by defensive tackle Mason Graham, Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger, and offensive weapons Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. The extra 2026 first‑round pick, secured in a separate deal with Jacksonville, adds further flexibility. However, the Browns still face a glaring quarterback void; their 2025 offense ranked last in DVOA, passer rating and EPA, with a team rating of 69.9. Owner Jimmy Haslam has already signaled a shift away from Deshaun Watson, labeling the previous quarterback gamble a “swing‑and‑miss.”
What comes next for Garrett and the Rams?
Los Angeles expects Garrett to anchor a defense that already boasts a top‑10 pass‑rush ranking. With Verse joining the line, the Rams aim to blend youth and experience, creating a rotation that can pressure quarterbacks without sacrificing run defense. Garrett’s presence should accelerate the Rams’ push for a playoff berth in the 2026 season, while Cleveland watches to see if the draft haul translates into a competitive roster by 2028.
What does this mean for the league?
The trade underscores how even elite defensive talent can be moved when a franchise decides to reset its direction. It also highlights the growing value of future draft assets in an era where salary‑cap constraints force teams to balance immediate impact with long‑term planning. As the NFL offseason unfolds, other teams will watch closely to gauge whether Cleveland’s gamble pays off, and whether the Rams can turn Garrett’s talent into a championship‑contending defense.