Myles Garrett ED
| Reported deal: | 4-year, $160 million extension (originally signed with Browns) |
|---|---|
| New money: | $160 million |
| New years added: | 4 |
| Technical new-money APY: | $40 million |
| Reality APY: | $40 million |
| Verdict: | Market Rate |
Despite the massive $160 million headline number, the contract structure was actually quite team-friendly for Cleveland initially. Garrett only received a $5 million raise in 2025 compensation, far less than comparable extensions like Maxx Crosby's $10 million immediate bump.
Myles Garrett initially shocked the NFL world by requesting a trade from Cleveland in February 2025 after a disappointing 3-14 season, citing his desire to win a championship. The Browns responded by offering him a massive 4-year, $160 million extension averaging $40 million per year, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at the time. The deal included $123.6 million in total guarantees with $88.8 million fully guaranteed at signing, plus a rare no-trade clause.
However, in a stunning turn of events, the Browns traded Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in June 2026 for Jared Verse and multiple draft picks (2027 1st, 2028 2nd, 2029 3rd). This marked the first time since 1997 that a reigning Defensive Player of the Year changed teams the following offseason. The Browns had modified Garrett’s contract in March 2026 to defer option bonus payments, creating a more favorable trade window by reducing the dead cap hit from $64.5 million to around $40 million when split over two years.
Additional Contract Details
| Contract type | Extension |
|---|---|
| Contract through | 2030 |
| Guaranteed at signing | $88.8 million |
| Total guarantees | $123.6 million |
| Date signed | 2025-03-09 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-14 |
Reality Check
Despite the massive $160 million headline number, the contract structure was actually quite team-friendly for Cleveland initially. Garrett only received a $5 million raise in 2025 compensation, far less than comparable extensions like Maxx Crosby's $10 million immediate bump. The deal featured heavy use of option bonuses and workout incentives rather than guaranteed base salaries, giving the Browns flexibility.
The Browns' March 2026 contract modification revealed their true intentions - by deferring Garrett's option bonuses from March to just before the regular season, they created a trade window while publicly claiming he was a 'career Brown.' This move benefited only Cleveland, not Garrett, and allowed them to complete the June 2026 trade with manageable dead cap implications. The Rams then reworked the deal again to front-load more guaranteed money, paying Garrett around $37 million in his first season with Los Angeles. The reality is this was always designed as a tradeable contract despite the no-trade clause and massive total value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How could the Browns trade Garrett if he had a no-trade clause?
Garrett likely waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the move to the contending Rams, similar to how the deal came together despite his initial trade request being denied.
Why did the Browns trade him after giving him such a huge extension?
The Browns structured the deal and made contract modifications specifically to create trade flexibility while publicly maintaining he would stay. The June timing allowed them to split dead cap over two years.
How much dead cap did the Browns eat in the trade?
Approximately $40 million in dead cap, but by trading after June 1st, they could spread this over 2026 and 2027 rather than taking it all in one year.
Did Garrett get more guaranteed money with the Rams?
No new guarantees were added, but the Rams restructured to front-load his compensation, paying him around $37 million in 2026 compared to the lower amount originally scheduled.
What was Garrett's 2025 season like before the trade?
Garrett had a historic season with an NFL-record 23 sacks and won his second Defensive Player of the Year award in three years, making the trade even more shocking.
Sources
- https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48939456/sources-browns-rams-finalizing-myles-garrett-blockbuster-trade
- https://www.profootballnetwork.com/myles-garrett-trade-request-revisit-160m-contract/
- https://overthecap.com/player/myles-garrett/5585
- https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/myles-garrett-and-browns-agree-to-4-year-contract-extension-through-2030-season
- https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/myles-garrett-traded-from-browns-to-rams/
