The Cleveland Browns agreed upon a blockbuster trade this afternoon that sends Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Verse and draft compensation. Since last offseason, Garrett has voiced his frustrations and even requested a trade, making it clear he is unhappy in Cleveland. The 2025 season was one for the ages for Garrett, setting the NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks.
The Rams are going all in on a Super Bowl run and are willing to give up draft capital and other assets to make it happen. In the trade, the Browns had a high asking price, with draft picks not being the only asset they desired. They wanted to obtain a player who could fill the role of Garrett, who is much younger and cheaper. Verse is the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year and has had a phenomenal start to his NFL career. While the trade has a lot of variables, both teams walked away with value.
After losing Garrett today, the Browns will have to find production off the edge. Verse will be the Browns’ premier player on the defensive line for the foreseeable future. Since 2024, he is 18th in pressure rate and 13th in QB hits. He also has a 15.3 pass rush win rate over his first two seasons in the league. After the upcoming 2026 season, he will be eligible for an extension. At only 25 years old, Verse is the future of the Browns at edge, and will most likely be extended. Another aspect of his game is his ability to defend the run. Verse is 2nd in run stop win rate at the edge position, only behind Maxx Crosby.
It’s no secret the Browns wanted draft capital back for Garrett, but to get an elite edge heading into his third season is a massive success. New defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg will have a younger defense with immense talent for years to come. The Browns’ new look defense features the 2024 and 2025 Defensive Rookies of the Year.
The other side of the trade was the haul of draft compensation they received. The picks include a 2027 1st Round Pick, 2028 2nd Round Pick, and a 2029 3rd Round Pick. The Browns once again will have two first-round draft picks in the upcoming draft, where they will evaluate the QB position very closely. Many reports suggest that there were various teams interested, but they couldn’t offer the young, upcoming edge rusher the Rams could. It has also been reported that the Browns don’t intend to trade Denzel Ward and plan on keeping him as one of the leaders of the defense.
A trade that not many people saw coming gives Cleveland a fresh start under Todd Monken and building blocks for the future.
Ultimately, for Garrett, he got what he wanted, and that was a chance to win a Super Bowl with a contending franchise. The Rams look to be the most complete team in football, and now add the best defensive player in the league. Next to Garrett on the Rams’ defensive line are Byron Young, Braden Fiske, and Kobie Young. This will be the best roster Garrett has ever been on, and also a team that has the QB situation figured out. There is not much left for Garrett to accomplish as an individual, with the Lombardi trophy being the only thing that separates him from the all-time greats.
At 30 years old, Garrett is still in the prime of his career. Coming off a 23-sack season while setting record after record, the Rams know the player they just acquired. Les Snead, general manager for the Rams, is never hesitant to move draft picks to acquire All-Pro players. It has worked in the past and could be the reason they get over the hump and make it back to the Super Bowl.
Browns fans will have mixed feelings on Garrett’s departure, but from a pure football standpoint, Garrett gave everything he had for the city and franchise. He will now play on one of the best teams in the NFL on his mission of winning a championship.
It’s never easy to say goodbye to a franchise cornerstone and future Hall of Fame player, but both teams are in different situations with the same goal of winning a ring. For the Browns, they continue to acquire picks to build through the draft, while getting a rising star off the edge. The Rams push all their chips into the table and land the best defensive player in football. A blockbuster move that gives both franchises something to look forward to.
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