Rams acquire Garrett in blockbuster trade for Browns

The Los Angeles Rams have acquired defensive end Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns in a major trade that reshapes the NFL landscape. In exchange, the Browns received a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, a 2029 third-round pick, and edge rusher Jared Verse. The deal occurs shortly after Garrett signed a contract extension with Cleveland, which included a roster bonus pushed to September to facilitate the move. The Rams aim to pair Garrett with reigning MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford to contend for the Super Bowl, while the Browns seek to rebuild their roster and clear salary cap space.

The transaction was finalised on June 1, 2026, following months of speculation and a procedural contract adjustment by Garrett that pushed a $10 million roster bonus to September to facilitate the move. ESPN analyst Dan Barnwell describes the trade as potentially the best player traded in the prime of his career in the modern NFL, comparing Garrett favourably to historical figures like Randy Moss and Eric Dickerson. Garrett’s 2025 season is highlighted as historic, with a single-season sack record, 33 tackles for loss (second-highest in modern history behind J.J. Watt’s 2012), and leading the NFL in sack rate (3.7%) over the past three years.

The Rams’ financial outlay is estimated at approximately $54 million per season when factoring in the lost surplus value of the draft picks and Jared Verse, who was under team control for two more years. ESPN’s Football Power Index ranks the Rams as the best team in the league, ahead of the Seattle Seahawks, making them the clear favourites to win the Super Bowl in 2026. The move signals a decisive shift in strategy for Los Angeles, which had previously faced criticism for not being sufficiently aggressive around Stafford.

For Cleveland, the trade addresses a roster that has struggled to compete despite Garrett’s individual excellence. The Browns face a projected $101.5 million in dead cap space in 2027, stemming from both Garrett and Deshaun Watson, but will have significant financial flexibility in 2028. Jared Verse is viewed by the analyst as a high-upside building block for Cleveland, with strong physical traits and a low cost relative to his potential, potentially offering more productive years than Garrett for a fraction of the cost.

The structural details of the agreement required Garrett to push his roster bonus to September, a move that gained him nothing financially but allowed the Browns to manage their cap hit more effectively. This procedural step was critical in enabling the trade to proceed shortly after the extension was signed. The Browns’ general manager, Andrew Berry, had previously dismissed trade talks as a waste of breath, but the reality of the roster’s limitations and the financial burden of the Watson contract necessitated a change in direction.

The Rams’ front office, led by Les Snead, has consistently demonstrated a willingness to leverage draft capital for veteran talent. By acquiring Garrett, Los Angeles adds a future Hall of Famer who was a five-time first-team All-Pro and two-time Defensive Player of the Year. The team now fields the reigning MVP on offense and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year on defense, a combination not seen since the 1970 merger.

The trade leaves the Seahawks and other NFC contenders facing a significantly tougher path to the Super Bowl. While the Rams accept the risk of Garrett’s aging curve and the loss of Verse, the potential reward of securing a championship with Stafford justifies the expenditure. The Browns, meanwhile, enter a rebuilding phase with a clear cap reset in 2028 and a young asset in Verse who could anchor their defensive line for years to come.