Story perspectives

Rams Trade Picks, Jared Verse for Garrett; Lions Decline.

6/9/2026

Summary

Garrett Traded

The Los Angeles Rams traded three draft picks and cornerback Jared Verse to Cleveland for Myles Garrett.
Garrett set a 2025 record with 23 sacks, won AP Defensive Player of the Year, and earned a 92.7 Pro Football Focus grade.
On June 8 2026 he attended Rams OTAs, completing drills with outside linebackers.
Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes passed on Garrett because of a $37 million 2026 salary and the loss of draft picks.

Summary

Berry Trades

Andrew Berry orchestrated two NFL trades, and the Garrett move ranked No. 5 all-time by Bleacher Report.
The Browns’ 2026 over/under win total is 5.5, while trading Denzel Ward could save $17.4 million in 2026 and $20.5 million in 2027.
Cleveland holds 11 picks in the 2027 draft, including two first-rounders and a second-rounder, positioning it to chase top-three quarterback prospect Arch Manning.

Summary

Garrett Tax Hit

Rams raised Garrett’s 2026 salary to $37 million, $6.5 million more than Cleveland’s offer.
California’s 13.3 percent tax versus Ohio’s 3.125 percent cuts roughly 10 percent from his gross pay.
Analysts say the higher tax makes Garrett a financial loser, noting a larger multi-year raise could have offset it.
After nine seasons he has earned $150.6 million, with the remaining five-year deal projected to push his career total past $328.5 million by 2030.

History

Historical Context

In 1994 the NFL introduced its first salary cap of $33.8 million, forcing teams such as the San Diego Chargers to cut payroll and reshuffle contracts. That financial calculus reappears in the 2026 trade that sends defensive end Myles Garrett to the Cleveland Browns, negotiated by general manager Andrew Berry and director of player personnel Brad Holmes.

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Garrett Traded

The Los Angeles Rams traded three draft picks and cornerback Jared Verse to Cleveland for Myles Garrett.
Garrett set a 2025 record with 23 sacks, won AP Defensive Player of the Year, and earned a 92.7 Pro Football Focus grade.
On June 8 2026 he attended Rams OTAs, completing drills with outside linebackers.
Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes passed on Garrett because of a $37 million 2026 salary and the loss of draft picks.

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