In a seismic offseason transaction, the Cleveland Browns have agreed to trade two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. The blockbuster deal, first reported by Sky Sports, will send the All-Pro pass rusher to the West Coast in exchange for rising edge defender Jared Verse and a 2027 first-round draft selection. The trade is pending a physical and is expected to become official once all terms are finalized.
Garrett, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, has been the face of the Browns franchise for nearly a decade. Over his stellar career in Cleveland, he amassed over 100 sacks, earned multiple first-team All-Pro nods, and captured the Defensive Player of the Year award in both 2023 and 2025. His blend of speed, power, and technique made him one of the most feared defenders in the league. However, despite his dominance, the Browns struggled to find consistent playoff success, leading to questions about the team’s direction and Garrett’s future.
The decision to trade Garrett marks a significant pivot for Cleveland. In return, the Browns acquire Jared Verse, a former first-round pick (2024) who flashed immense potential in his first two seasons. Verse, a relentless edge rusher out of Florida State, recorded 15.5 sacks as a rookie and followed up with a solid sophomore campaign. At just 24 years old, he gives the Browns a cost-controlled building block under a rookie contract. The 2027 first-round pick, meanwhile, provides valuable draft capital for a franchise that may look to rebuild through the upcoming NFL drafts.
For the Rams, adding Garrett represents an all-in move to reignite their championship aspirations. After winning Super Bowl LVI, Los Angeles endured roster turnover and inconsistent results. With quarterback Matthew Stafford entering the twilight of his career and head coach Sean McVay hungry for another ring, the front office aggressively pursued a game-wrecker. Pairing Garrett with Aaron Donald—assuming the future Hall of Famer continues playing—creates a defensive line nightmare for opposing offenses. Even without Donald, Garrett instantly elevates a unit that ranked middle-of-the-pack in pressures last season.
League circles view the trade as a potential paradigm shift in the NFC. The Rams, who missed the playoffs in 2025, now boast a defense that could rival the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles. Offensive coordinators around the conference are already losing sleep over the prospect of facing Garrett off the edge alongside an interior disruptor. Moreover, the move signals Los Angeles’ willingness to sacrifice future assets for immediate glory—a familiar philosophy under general manager Les Snead.
From Cleveland’s perspective, the trade may signal a full-scale roster reset. The Browns finished 7-10 last season, and with Garrett’s massive contract off the books, they gain financial flexibility. Verse provides a ready-made replacement at a fraction of the cost, while the additional first-round pick gives them ammunition to address other needs, such as quarterback or offensive line. Whether the team opts to use those picks or flip them for a veteran signal-caller remains to be seen.
Historically, trades involving reigning Defensive Player of the Year winners are exceedingly rare. The last such move was in 2018 when the Oakland Raiders traded Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears. That deal netted the Raiders two first-round picks and reset the market. The Garrett trade, while not quite as lopsided in draft capital, follows a similar logic: a franchise betting on a younger, cheaper alternative while accumulating picks.
For Jared Verse, the move offers a fresh start and a chance to step out of a superstar’s shadow. In Los Angeles, he was poised to become the face of the Rams’ defense, but now he assumes the challenge of becoming the cornerstone in Cleveland. His development will be closely tied to the Browns’ success in the post-Garrett era.
The 2027 first-round pick is a tantalizing asset. While it’s years away, it could land Cleveland a premium prospect if the Rams stumble. Conversely, if the Rams remain contenders, the pick will fall late in the round—still valuable for a team looking to add depth. The distant timeline also gives the Browns’ front office a long runway to evaluate their roster.
As training camp approaches, the immediate impact will be felt on both sidelines. The Rams’ defense, under new coordinator Chris Shula, gets an elite weapon to deploy in a variety of schemes. Garrett’s versatility allows him to line up wide, rush from the interior, or drop into coverage on rare occasions. McVay and his staff will undoubtedly design packages to maximize his disruption in critical moments.
For Cleveland, the focus shifts to culture building under head coach Kevin Stefanski. Losing a player of Garrett’s caliber creates a leadership void, but it also offers an opportunity for younger players to step forward. The front office, led by general manager Andrew Berry, will need to draft wisely and develop talent to return to contention.
In the grand NFL landscape, this trade underscores the league’s ever-changing power dynamics. Teams in win-now mode are increasingly willing to part with future assets for proven stars, while rebuilding franchises prioritize long-term sustainability. Both the Browns and Rams will be under immense scrutiny when the season kicks off. Based on reporting from Sky Sports.