The Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams completed one of the most significant defensive player trades in recent NFL history on June 1, 2026. Two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett headed west in exchange for rising star Jared Verse and a package of valuable draft picks. The deal instantly altered the balance of power in the NFC while giving the Browns a clear path toward a full rebuild.
Garrett, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft, leaves Cleveland after nine seasons as the face of the franchise’s defense. He arrives in Los Angeles ready to chase a Super Bowl alongside quarterback Matthew Stafford on a team already positioned as a top contender.
This article covers the full trade details, latest updates from training camp, key statistics, players to watch, expert analysis, and answers to the most common questions surrounding the Myles Garrett trade.
Latest Player and Team Updates on the Myles Garrett Trade
As of early August 2026, Garrett has settled into his new role with the Rams. He briefly dealt with lower-body soreness that limited him during the opening portion of training camp but returned to practice around August 5-6. Head coach Sean McVay described the issue as minor and not a long-term concern.
The Rams also reworked Garrett’s contract shortly after the trade. The adjustment kept the overall structure similar to the deal he signed with Cleveland but provided better short-term cash flow and a more manageable cap number for Los Angeles in 2026. Garrett remains under contract through the 2030 season.
On the Browns side, general manager Andrew Berry has repeatedly framed the trade as an opportunity rather than a retreat. Cleveland received 25-year-old edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round selection, and a conditional 2029 third-round pick that escalates to a first-rounder if the Rams ever trade Garrett to an AFC North team. Verse, the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year and a two-time Pro Bowler, now steps into the primary pass-rush role opposite the Browns’ other young defensive pieces.
Berry noted that the team’s timeline for contention no longer aligned with Garrett’s desire to win immediately. The Browns have won just eight games over the past two seasons and continue searching for a long-term answer at quarterback. The added draft capital gives them flexibility heading into the 2027 draft, which many evaluators view as quarterback-rich.
How the Myles Garrett Trade Came Together
Talks between the two clubs began in late March 2026 after Cleveland and Garrett agreed to modify the language in his contract. The change deferred option bonuses, making a post-June 1 trade far more manageable for the Browns’ salary cap. After June 1, the dead money from the deal splits across two seasons—approximately $15.53 million in 2026 and $25.56 million in 2027.
The Rams pursued Garrett persistently. Cleveland initially resisted and publicly insisted Garrett would remain a Brown for life. Los Angeles eventually sweetened the offer by including Verse, a player the Browns viewed as a foundational piece for their rebuild. Once Verse entered the conversation, the deal accelerated and reached agreement over the final weekend of May.
Garrett held a no-trade clause and needed time to consider the move before approving it. He later posted a farewell message thanking Cleveland fans and saying the city “made me tougher.” Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam met with him personally to express gratitude for his contributions.
Key Statistics from Myles Garrett’s Browns Career
Garrett leaves Cleveland with a résumé that ranks among the best in franchise history:
- 125.5 career sacks (Browns franchise record)
- NFL single-season sack record of 23 in 2025
- Two-time AP Defensive Player of the Year (2023 and 2025)
- Seven-time Pro Bowl selection
- Five-time first-team All-Pro
- At least 10 sacks in each of the past eight seasons (2018-2025)
- At least 12 sacks in six consecutive seasons (2020-2025), a first since 1982
In 2025 alone he dominated opposing offenses, consistently generating pressure and forcing turnovers. His production never dipped even as the Browns struggled to win games around him.
Jared Verse brings a different profile. The former Florida State standout recorded strong sack and tackle-for-loss numbers in his first two NFL seasons while playing under an affordable rookie contract that runs through 2027 (with a fifth-year option available). Cleveland plans to explore a long-term extension once he becomes eligible.
Players to Watch After the Myles Garrett Trade
Myles Garrett (Rams):
The centerpiece of the deal. Pairing him with the existing Rams defensive front creates one of the most formidable pass rushes in the league. His presence should free up interior players and force offenses into difficult protection schemes.
Jared Verse (Browns):
Suddenly the face of Cleveland’s edge group. How quickly he adapts to a new defensive scheme and whether he can sustain Pro Bowl-level production will determine how fans view the immediate return on the trade.
Matthew Stafford (Rams):
Already the reigning MVP in some evaluations after a strong 2025. Adding Garrett should keep him cleaner in the pocket and extend the competitive window for a veteran quarterback.
Browns young core and 2027 draft capital:
The first-round pick acquired in the deal becomes a potential cornerstone selection, especially if Cleveland uses it (or trades it) to land a franchise quarterback.
Other names worth monitoring include any secondary or interior defensive pieces the Browns add with their new flexibility, and how the Rams manage the rest of their defensive depth after surrendering Verse.
Expert Analysis: Who Won the Myles Garrett Trade?
Most evaluators labeled the deal a win-win based on the differing goals of each franchise.
For the Rams, the move fits their “go-for-it” philosophy while Stafford remains elite. Trading a young, high-upside player and future picks for a proven, still-dominant 30-year-old edge rusher signals clear Super Bowl intent. The defense that already ranked near the top of the league in several categories gains an immediate upgrade. Critics note the cost in youth and draft capital, yet few question the short-term impact.
For the Browns, the trade represents acceptance of reality. Holding onto Garrett while the offense remained broken risked watching a generational talent’s prime years slip away without a deep playoff run. By acquiring Verse and multiple high draft picks, Cleveland resets the timeline and gains assets to address the quarterback position. Dead-money charges remain significant but were structured as favorably as possible. History will judge the trade largely by who starts at quarterback for the Browns in 2027 and beyond.
The timing also mattered. Cap rules after June 1 made the financial hit more digestible, and Garrett’s earlier public frustration in 2025 had already planted the idea that his long-term future might lie elsewhere. The contract modification in March effectively opened a window that the Rams refused to let close.
Match Preview Context for the 2026 Season
With training camp underway, both teams prepare for a new chapter. The Rams open the season as clear NFC favorites in many projections, with Garrett expected to start opposite their existing edge talent. Cleveland enters a developmental year focused on evaluating Verse and building around whatever quarterback emerges from the current roster or the upcoming draft.
Early camp reports indicate Garrett is working his way back to full speed after the minor soreness. Verse has drawn praise for his work ethic and ability to set the edge. Preseason games will offer the first live look at both players in their new uniforms.
FAQs
1. What did the Browns receive in the Myles Garrett trade?
Cleveland acquired edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a conditional 2029 third-round pick (that becomes a first-rounder if Garrett is later traded to an AFC North team).
2. Why did the Browns trade Myles Garrett?
The team’s contention timeline no longer matched Garrett’s desire to win now. Persistent interest from the Rams, the availability of Verse, and favorable post-June 1 salary-cap treatment made the package too strong to ignore during a rebuild.
3. How does the trade affect the Rams’ Super Bowl chances?
It significantly boosts them. Adding a two-time Defensive Player of the Year to an already competitive roster creates a more complete championship contender while Stafford remains at a high level.
4. Did Myles Garrett want to leave Cleveland?
Garrett requested a trade in early 2025 before signing a large extension. Later contract modifications and his quiet approach in the 2026 offseason fueled speculation. He ultimately approved the deal after using his no-trade clause to evaluate the opportunity.
5. What is Jared Verse’s role with the Browns?
Verse steps in as a primary pass rusher and potential long-term cornerstone. The Browns can exercise his fifth-year option and intend to pursue an extension when eligible, viewing him as a foundational piece of the defense.
Conclusion
The Myles Garrett trade ranks among the boldest moves of the 2026 offseason. Cleveland parts with its most accomplished player since the franchise’s return, receiving a talented young replacement and the draft capital needed to accelerate a rebuild. Los Angeles adds a dominant force to a roster already primed for a deep playoff run.
