One of the biggest blockbuster deals involving a defensive player in NFL history is officially complete. The Cleveland Browns have traded superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in a move that immediately reshapes the NFL landscape and sends a clear message about the Rams’ championship ambitions.
The deal delivers a proven defensive superstar to Los Angeles while giving Cleveland a younger cornerstone defender, valuable draft capital, and significant financial flexibility.
Rams Go All-In For Another Super Bowl Run
The Rams acquired two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in exchange for rising pass-rushing star Jared Verse, a first-round pick in 2027, a second-round pick in 2028, and a third-round pick in 2029.
The move echoes Los Angeles’ aggressive approach from previous years, most notably when the franchise traded for quarterback Matthew Stafford before eventually winning a Super Bowl.
With Super Bowl LXI scheduled to be played at SoFi Stadium in February 2027, the Rams appear determined to maximize their championship window. Adding Garrett gives Los Angeles one of the most feared defensive weapons in football and instantly strengthens an already talented roster.
Garrett Says Goodbye To Cleveland
Shortly after the trade became public, Garrett shared an emotional message directed at the Browns organization and its fan base.
He thanked the city that drafted him and helped shape his career, writing that Cleveland shaped him and “made me tougher.”
He also expressed optimism about the franchise’s future while acknowledging the difficulty of leaving.
“Loving you is easy, leaving you is the hard part,” he wrote.
Garrett’s departure closes a remarkable chapter that began when Cleveland selected him first overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Browns Finally Relent After Months Of Resistance
For months, Cleveland publicly maintained that Garrett was not available.
League sources indicated the Rams repeatedly pursued the star defender despite receiving consistent resistance from Browns leadership. Even after contract adjustments earlier this offseason made a future trade easier to execute, Cleveland remained reluctant to part with its franchise cornerstone.
However, Los Angeles never stopped calling.
According to sources, discussions intensified after the NFL Draft. The Rams initially offered draft-pick-heavy packages, but Cleveland insisted that any serious proposal would need to include Jared Verse.
That demand became the key to completing negotiations.
Verse, the Rams’ 2024 first-round selection, has already emerged as one of the league’s most promising young pass rushers, recording 12 sacks and 22 tackles for loss over his first two seasons.
Browns Welcome Jared Verse Home
The trade provides Cleveland with a younger player who could anchor the defense for years.
Verse also brings local ties, having been born in Dayton, Ohio.
Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslem praised Garrett while explaining the organization’s decision.
“We met with Myles on Saturday and told him we are extremely grateful for all that he contributed to our team and to our community and that he will always be a Cleveland Brown. We look forward to welcoming him back at the appropriate time and wish him and his family only the best,” Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslem said in a statement.
General manager Andrew Berry emphasized the broader benefits of the transaction.
“We recognize the unexpected nature of this trade, but it opens up great opportunities for our franchise,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said in a statement. “We are excited to welcome Jared into the organization, along with the cap flexibility and draft pick resources to deploy to the rest of the roster that will allow us to add to our budding core on both sides of the ball.”
What Cleveland Gains From The Deal
Beyond acquiring Verse, the Browns secured substantial draft assets that could influence the franchise for years.
Cleveland now owns:
- First-round pick in 2027
- Second-round pick in 2028
- Third-round pick in 2029
The organization also expects significant salary cap and cash savings, reportedly around $30 million.
Combined with an expanding collection of draft selections, the Browns now possess considerable flexibility to reshape their roster and pursue future upgrades.
Garrett Leaves As One Of NFL’s Best Defenders
Garrett’s production in Cleveland places him among the most dominant defenders of his generation.
Since entering the league in 2017, he ranks first in sacks, pressures, and tackles for loss while consistently disrupting opposing offenses.
His departure comes shortly after another historic campaign in which he set the NFL’s all-time single-season sack record.
At 30 years old, Garrett remains widely regarded as one of football’s premier defensive players and remains under contract through the 2030 season.
Rams Choose Garrett Over Future Financial Challenges
The Rams faced difficult decisions regarding several young defensive stars who are expected to command major contracts in the coming years.
Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and Jared Verse all project as players deserving lucrative extensions. Rather than committing long-term money to multiple rising defenders, Los Angeles chose to acquire a proven superstar already under contract.
Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million extension last offseason that included a no-trade clause. He is waiving that protection to complete the move and is expected to retain similar protections in his Rams contract.
The veteran defender is reportedly expected in Los Angeles this week as he begins preparing for the next chapter of his career.
NFL’s Era Of Mega Trades Continues
Garrett’s move is the latest example of NFL front offices embracing blockbuster transactions involving elite talent.
Recent years have seen teams become increasingly willing to trade star players in pursuit of roster flexibility, draft capital, and championship opportunities.
This latest deal may stand as one of the defining moves of the 2026 offseason.
Sportsbooks reacted immediately. Following the trade, the Rams saw their Super Bowl odds improve dramatically and now sit among the league’s leading championship contenders heading into the upcoming season.
