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Cleveland Browns Trade Defensive End Myles Garrett to Los Angeles Rams for Jared Verse and Draft Picks

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Myles Garrett Traded to Rams: Browns Land Jared Verse in Blockbuster Deal

The Cleveland Browns have traded defensive end Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, receiving defensive end Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick. The deal is pending physicals.

The Trade at a Glance

Cleveland Browns Receive

  • Defensive end Jared Verse
  • 2027 first-round draft pick
  • 2028 second-round draft pick
  • 2029 third-round draft pick (conditional)

Los Angeles Rams Receive

  • Defensive end Myles Garrett

Conditional Pick: The 2029 third-round pick will become a first-round pick if the Rams trade Garrett to an AFC North team at any point in the future.

Cap Impact

The trade was processed as a post-June 1 transaction. According to reports, this results in:

  • $15.53 million in dead money on the Browns' 2026 salary cap
  • $25.56 million in dead money in 2027

Other reports state the transaction generates $8.34 million in cap savings for the Browns.

Player Profiles

Myles Garrett | Defensive End | Age: 30

Draft: Selected first overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2017.

Career with Browns (2017-2025):

  • 125.5 career sacks — most among active players
  • First player in NFL history with at least 12 sacks in six consecutive seasons (2020-2025)
  • Double-digit sacks in each of the past eight years
  • Tied for 20th in league history in career sacks

Awards:

  • Two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2023, 2025)
  • Five-time All-Pro
  • Seven-time Pro Bowler

2025 Season: Set an NFL single-season record with 23 sacks.

Contract: Signed a four-year, $204.8 million extension in March 2025 with over $122 million guaranteed and a no-trade clause. Scheduled to earn $31.5 million in 2025. The contract was modified in late March 2025, deferring approximately $29 million in bonus payments to facilitate a trade.

"Myles Garrett is a generational talent. This was a decision between keeping one of the game's greats or positioning our organization for long-term success." — Browns GM Andrew Berry

Jared Verse | Edge Rusher / Defensive End | Age: 25

Hometown: Dayton, Ohio

Draft: Selected 19th overall by the Los Angeles Rams in 2024.

Career with Rams (2024-2025):

  • 12.0 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, and 45 quarterback hits over two seasons
  • According to ESPN Research, only Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett have more pressures than Verse's 99 since he entered the league

Awards:

  • 2024 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
  • Two-time Pro Bowler (2025, 2026)

Contract: Rookie contract runs through 2028, with a fifth-year option available. Verse has a salary-cap number of $4.1 million in 2025.

"I'm not here to fill his shoes. I'm here to bring my own." — Jared Verse

Timeline: How the Deal Came Together

  • 2022: Rams first inquired about trading for Garrett shortly after winning Super Bowl LVI. Browns declined.
  • 2023: Rams again discussed a trade for Garrett but chose to build through the draft instead.
  • February 2024: Rams GM Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay discussed improving the defense in their offseason planning.
  • March 2024: Browns modified Garrett's contract. Snead contacted Browns GM Andrew Berry to inquire about Garrett's availability. Berry initially declined.
  • April 2024 (Draft weekend): Snead offered draft picks for Garrett; Berry countered by requesting Jared Verse. The Rams refused.
  • Late May 2024: Both sides returned to negotiations. The Rams agreed to include Jared Verse in the deal.
  • Finalization: Trade completed after Garrett waived his no-trade clause and approved the move. The deal was announced on Monday.

Statements

Browns General Manager Andrew Berry:

"Jared Verse was a key component of the return, and the trade would not have occurred without him. He is an outstanding football player who fits our attacking defense and allows us to maintain a high level of defense."

Browns Head Coach Todd Monken:

"Verse will fit us like a glove."

Rams General Manager Les Snead:

"We knew where Cleveland stood, they knew where we stood, and we proceeded to make the trade."

Snead has a history of acquiring veteran stars via trade, including cornerback Jalen Ramsey (2019), quarterback Matthew Stafford (2021), and pass rusher Von Miller (2021).

Veteran Defensive End Alexander Wright (Browns teammate):

"We didn't get no scrub back. We got an absolute dog."

Jared Verse:

"I'm here to bring a violent style of play to the defense."

Myles Garrett:
Posted a farewell message on social media expressing appreciation for the Browns organization, teammates, and fans.

Context

Cleveland Browns

  • 58–90–1 record since 2017 — sixth-lowest win percentage in the NFL
  • Two playoff appearances during Garrett's nine seasons
  • After a second consecutive fourth-place finish in 2025, fired head coach Kevin Stefanski and hired Todd Monken
  • Garrett requested a trade in early 2025 and did not participate in the team's voluntary offseason program. He rescinded the request after signing an extension, but trade speculation continued through the 2026 offseason.
  • Defense finished top five in yards allowed per game in two of the last three seasons with Garrett

Los Angeles Rams

  • 92–57 record since 2017 — including seven playoff appearances and a Super Bowl LVI title
  • Sought to add star defensive talent after a playoff run
  • This trade makes reigning AP MVP Matthew Stafford and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett teammates
  • This is the first time since 1997 that a reigning Defensive Player of the Year has been traded the following offseason