Mar 27, 2026
3 min read
Don't be surprised if Cleveland trades for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
Myles Garrett Landing Spots: Why Trade Rumors May Heat Up After Browns Change Contract
Do not be surprised if Cleveland completes the annual Player of the Year trade.
The Cleveland Browns haven't indicated they want to trade Myles Garrett, but they made a subtle move this week that could spark intense speculation.
The Browns changed language in Garrett's contract to move some of his payments into the future, according to ESPN.Garrett was supposed to receive the option bonus on the 15th day of the league year (March 25), but the two teams agreed to move that date up to seven days before the first game of the regular season.The move means the Browns won't have to pay the money until September—and won't have to pay them at all if Garrett isn't on the roster.(Garrett also has bonus options in 2027 and 2028 that were rolled back to seven days before the start of those seasons.)
Because the modification of the contract can lead to trade.
Last year, Garrett requested a trade from Cleveland, but stayed after signing a massive four-year, $160 million deal.With new language added this week, the Browns opened up the possibility of trading him this offseason.
In the first season of his rookie deal, Garrett won NFL Defensive Player of the Year after setting an NFL single-season record with 23 sacks, so his trade value has never been higher.
From a salary cap standpoint, here's why this deal might be easier now (via Over The Cap):
- Before the contract change, the Browns would have taken a $70.3 million loss if they had traded Garrett before June 1. After June 1, that cap hit could be spread over two seasons -- $21.4 million in 2026 and about $48.7 million in 2027 -- but the pre-draft trade would still carry the full $70.3 million, making it a heavy burden.
- In the new language, if they trade Garrett before June 1, the Browns will receive $41.09 million dead. After Season 1, the cap hit will be $15.53 million in 2026 and approximately $25.56 million in 2027. These are more manageable numbers, so the trade cannot be ruled out.
Before the change, Cleveland had a two-month window in sight (at the end of the season in mid-March) to trade Garrett.Currently, that window runs from the end of the previous season to seven days before the start of the new season.
If the Browns want to trade Garrett before the 2026 NFL Draft, it's much cheaper now.The team is rebuilding and Garrett can speed up the process with the returns he commands.
If they can't reach an agreement before the draft, they can wait until after June 1. Because of the suspension after June 1, many teams will have cap space after June 1, which may make it easier to get Garrett's salary.
The Browns proposed a new rule that would help them trade Garrett
The Browns have also proposed rules that would make trades easier.Currently,NFL teams can only trade draft picks three years into the future.Cleveland's proposal would extend that to five years.
This trade could help the Browns get a big return for Garrett.If they want two or three first-round picks, a team could distribute them (one next year, one every three years, and a fifth) and make the deal more palatable.
Possible landing sites for Garrett
A trade is not guaranteed, but the door remains open.Here are some possible landing spots:
San Francisco 49ers
Garrett had more sacks last season (23) than the 49ers as a team (20).San Francisco finished with the fewest sacks in the NFL and needs all the help it can get in the pass rush department.The team has already signed 33-year-old Mike Evans and is going all-in through 2026, making the Garrett trade the ultimate aggressive move.
The Eagles lost Jaelan Phillips in free agency and could help them out more in the pass rush.They sacked Patrick Mahomes six times in their Super Bowl LIX win, so GM Howie Roseman knows the value of a dominant pass rush.He's also not afraid to make a big move, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he decided to acquire Garrett.
The Cowboys have been aggressive in their pursuit of Max Crosby, showing Jerry Jones' strong interest in adding the star pass rusher.Their record offer included a 2026 first-round pick (No. 12 overall) and a 2027 second-round pick.They'll need to step up for Garrett, but with two first-round picks this year, they can make a deal.The capital is there.Garrett can transform the defense and make Dallas the NFC East favorite.The most conceivable move for Jerry Jones is trading for Garrett seven months into the Micah Parsons deal, so don't rule it out.
New England Patriots
The Patriots posted the NFL's worst sack differential last year at minus-13, allowing 48 sacks while recording 35.Mike Vrabel will want to fix that, and the best way is to add Garrett, the league's best sack machine.New England added Dre'Mont Jones in free agency, but Garrett is on a different level.
With Josh Allen at quarterback, the bills are firmly in the Super Bowl window, but adding Myles Garrett can trump them.GM Brandon Beane hasn't been shy about aggressive pass-rush moves, trading Von Miller in 2022 and signing Joey Bosa last year.They already added Bradley Chubb this offseason, and pairing him with Garrett would instantly improve the defense from average to great.
If the Browns trade Garrett, it won't be cheap.If Crosby were to get two first-round picks, Cleveland could reasonably ask for three first-rounders or two first-rounders plus another premium pick.Players like Garrett rarely become available, so if he does hit the market, it's almost certain the team will meet that price — even if it costs three freshmen.
