Full Breakdown
Myles Garrett Trade: Rams Secure Defensive Star After Months of Negotiations
6/3/2026, 8:55:11 PM
Trade Overview
Los Angeles Rams acquired defensive end Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns in a trade completed in early June 2024. The Browns received young pass rusher Jared Verse; draft compensation details were not disclosed.
Background & Context
Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay began offseason discussions to strengthen the Rams’ defense. Garrett, the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, was identified as a primary target.
Negotiation Timeline
- March 2024: Browns altered Garrett’s contract, creating a trade-friendly structure.
- Early March: Snead contacted Browns GM Andrew Berry to assess interest.
- May 2024: Rams offered draft picks; Browns rejected the proposal.
- Late May–Early June 2024: Talks shifted to include Jared Verse, culminating in a trade before the June 1 deadline.
Negotiation Highlights
The contract adjustment signaled potential availability, but Garrett’s no-trade clause required confirmation of his consent. Initial draft-pick offers were declined; the Browns insisted on receiving Jared Verse. Snead’s long-standing relationship with Berry facilitated repeated discussions.
Implications for Both Teams
The Rams add the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, addressing a primary offseason goal. Cleveland trades a pass rusher for a younger talent expected to contribute immediately to its defensive front.
Official Comments from Rams Management
Snead described the deal as “months in the making,” noting that talks began at the start of the offseason. He said the contract change prompted early outreach to Berry and that the Rams’ willingness to include Verse reflected a clear understanding of each side’s position. Snead also confirmed that Garrett’s no-trade clause was addressed early, securing the player’s agreement before finalizing the trade.
Verbatim Quotes
- “How did we end up with Myles Garrett sitting between Sean and myself? When Sean and I met for the first time to talk about the offseason, we did discuss how we could add to the defense,” — Les Snead, Rams General Manager
- “When Cleveland made the adjustment to his contract, not sure if it was a signal, they made an adjustment,” — Les Snead
- “I’ve got a good relationship with Andrew Berry, thought I’d just check in. Let’s check in. Myles, he’s a Cleveland Brown, he’s on their Mount Rushmore, so they were a no. But Andrew and I have a good relationship, we like talking about football a good bit, so I would pester him a little bit, probably jokingly at first, then we began talking a little more seriously.” — Les Snead
- “We tried to do this with draft compensation, then the draft came and went,” — Les Snead
- “I remember asking Andrew after about a month of talking, ‘Myles has a no-trade clause, are we going to have gone through all this and he’s going to say no?’” — Les Snead
What’s Next
The trade reshapes each roster’s defensive composition as both clubs prepare for the upcoming season, with the Rams integrating Garrett and the Browns developing Verse.
