Full Breakdown
Browns Trade Myles Garrett to Rams; Denzel Ward Affirms Commitment
6/7/2026, 10:31:14 PM
The Blockbuster Trade
On June 1 2026 the Cleveland Browns sent defensive end Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. In return the Browns received edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a conditional 2029 third-round pick. The deal was completed after the NFL’s post-June 1 salary-cap rules allowed Cleveland to spread Garrett’s dead-cap hit over two seasons.
Background: Garrett’s Tenure and the Browns’ Rebuild
Garrett entered Cleveland as the No. 1 overall pick in 2017 and became a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time Pro Bowler. He set the single-season sack record with 23 sacks in 2025, finishing his Browns career with 412 tackles, 149 tackles for loss and 125.5 sacks (tied for 20th all-time). The franchise has been shifting toward a younger roster, highlighted by a 17-player draft haul over the past two drafts.
Trade Compensation and Contract Context
The primary return, Jared Verse, is a 2024 third-year player on a $15 million rookie contract with a fifth-year option in 2028. The Browns also added three high-value draft selections. Cornerback Denzel Ward, the longest-tenured remaining player, is under a five-year, $100.5 million extension signed in 2022; he has two years left but no guaranteed salary remaining.
Key Figures and Advisory Input
The trade involved GM Andrew Berry, who consulted with St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom and Oklahoma City Thunder executive Sam Presti. Bloom advised “trade for players with a similar makeup,” while Presti urged the Browns to “acquire more than just draft picks.”
Official Statements & Responses
Ward told reporters at his inaugural celebrity softball game that he “definitely still want[s] to be here,” emphasizing his friendship with Garrett and the team’s resolve. Berry confirmed that Ward remains a “big part of the team,” adding that the Browns “have no plans to make Ward available for a trade.”
Criticism & Opposition
Several fans and analysts argued the compensation fell short of Garrett’s value. One commentator noted that receiving only a first-, second- and third-round pick “doesn’t feel like enough” and suggested the Browns should have secured an additional first-round selection.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on whether the trade package adequately compensates Cleveland for a generational pass rusher. While the Browns’ front office cites the inclusion of a proven young edge rusher and multiple picks, public sentiment remains split, with no consensus on the long-term impact.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I definitely still want to be here.” — Denzel Ward, Cornerback, Cleveland Browns
- “Crazy trade, definitely a crazy trade.” — Denzel Ward, Cornerback, Cleveland Browns
- “[Ward is] a big part of the team, and we like him a lot,” — Andrew Berry, General Manager, Cleveland Browns
Impact and What’s Next
With Garrett gone, the Browns will rely on Verse, their draft capital and existing young talent such as safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and linebacker Quincy Williams to rebuild the defense. Ward’s commitment suggests continuity at cornerback, while the front office may explore additional veteran additions before the 2026 training camp. The upcoming preseason will reveal how the new roster configuration performs without its former anchor.
