Following the NFL’s Free Agency period and the Draft, fans looking for another shakeup had June 1st circled on their calendars. It isn’t until that day that teams can trade or cut players without taking a significant dead cap hit.
The NFL’s salary cap is a mystery sometimes, but losing money isn’t on any team’s agenda. There were two big trades on June 1st, both of which are sure to shift the NFL landscape.
The biggest move of the day was undoubtedly superstar defensive end Myles Garrett being traded to the Los Angeles Rams. The Cleveland Browns sent the NFL’s single-season sack record holder to LA for a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-rounder, and a 2029 third-rounder. They also acquired 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, Jared Verse, in the deal.
The Rams are, to no one’s surprise, going all-in for another Super Bowl win. They hoisted the Lombardi Trophy five years ago and are now the favorites to win Super Bowl LXI.
Garrett changes the game, not only for the Rams, but for the NFC as a whole. LA’s offense ranked first in the NFL last year in total yards averaged per game (394.6). The charge was led by now-reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, who seems to only get better with age.
The Rams’ defense ranked 17th in the league in total yards allowed per game (327.5). They quickly acknowledged that issue by trading for star cornerback Trent McDuffie. That wasn’t enough to satisfy them.
The addition of Garrett and McDuffie will immediately pay off for LA. They know Stafford has one, maybe two, years left before he hangs up the cleats. This is exactly what they need to get over the hump. If you haven’t already, it might be time to put some money on a Rams Super Bowl win.
The Browns are rebuilding, as usual. They’re seeking young talent and draft picks to assemble their roster. Acquiring Verse is a great move, especially to replace Garrett. At 25 years old, Verse already has two Pro-Bowls under his belt, along with the aforementioned DROY just two years ago.
Cleveland now owns two first-round picks in a coveted 2027 Draft class. With a team like this, early lottery tickets are necessary. They’re also moving off Garrett’s four-year, $160-million contract after one season. After back-to-back impressive Drafts, opening up some money for the future is a great move.
The other big news on Monday was the worst-kept secret finally becoming official. AJ Brown has been traded to the New England Patriots. The 28-year-old Super Bowl Champion is leaving Philadelphia and reuniting with his first NFL head coach, Mike Vrabel.
The Eagles sent Brown to New England in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder. After winning Super Bowl LX, Philly’s offense stagnated. Brown was seemingly frustrated, and it was clear he wanted out, even if he didn’t say it outright.
Drake Maye just had a stellar season where he was the league MVP runner-up. The Patriots made it all the way to the Super Bowl before the Seattle Seahawks dismantled them. They’ve made smart moves this offseason, adding Brown and Romeo Doubs to the receiving room.
Maye is a star in the making, and Brown is a perfect addition for the third-year QB’s development. This is a great move for New England, and they didn’t need to lose a 2027 first.
The Eagles are still well within their Super Bowl window. Jalen Hurts has a chip on his shoulder, and they’ve hired a new offensive coordinator. To top it all off, they drafted USC standout Makai Lemon in anticipation of replacing Brown.
Philly’s general manager, Howie Roseman, typically fleeces other teams in trades. This time, it was a fairly even swap. He’s a mastermind at roster building, and that 2028 first-rounder will undoubtedly come in handy, even if it’s not actually used for the Draft.
By waiting until now to move Brown, the Eagles were able to split the dead cap money he’d leave behind. They’ve freed up space for this season, and they’re off the hook for his $32 million-a-year contract.
Everyone and their mothers expected the Eagles to trade Brown on Monday. What no one expected was the Rams making a huge push for Garrett. The team that represented the AFC in Super Bowl LX has gotten stronger, but the NFC now seems to be in a chokehold. The Rams have put the entire league on notice; now it’s Lombardi Trophy or bust for them.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
