Full Breakdown
Cleveland Browns Trade Myles Garrett to Los Angeles Rams: Assets, Rationale, and Future Implications
6/9/2026, 8:55:22 AM
Trade Overview
On June 1, 2026 the Cleveland Browns sent defensive end Myles Garrett (No. 95) to the Los Angeles Rams. In return the Browns received defensive end Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick. Garrett waived his no-trade clause to complete the deal.
Background
Garrett spent nine seasons in Cleveland, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025 with a league-record 23 sacks, 31 pressures and a 21 % pass-rush win rate. He had previously requested a trade in 2025 and signed a four-year, $160 million extension, yet the relationship remained strained. The Browns, rebuilding since 1999, have accumulated draft capital and are seeking a franchise quarterback.
Key Players and Decision Makers
- Myles Garrett – star pass rusher, former Browns defensive anchor.
- Jared Verse – 25-year-old, two-time Pro Bowler acquired from the Rams.
- Andrew Berry – Browns general manager, orchestrated the trade while attending a charity event.
- Les Snead – Rams general manager, negotiated the package and secured Garrett’s waiver.
- Brandon Little – A to Z Sports analyst who contextualized the trade’s value.
- Pete Prisco – CBS Sports analyst linking the trade to a potential Arch Manning selection.
Trade Details and Assets
- Garrett’s 2025 production: 23 sacks (NFL record), 31 pressures (5th league-wide), 21 % pass-rush win rate (6th).
- Verse’s 2025 production: 58 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 80 pressures.
- Draft compensation: 2027 first-rounder (projected late), 2028 second-rounder, 2029 third-rounder; the Browns will hold 11 picks in the 2027 draft, including two first-round selections.
Strategic Implications for Cleveland
The exchange supplies the Browns with premium draft capital to accelerate a rebuild and creates flexibility to target a top quarterback prospect—most analysts cite Arch Manning as the likely target for the 2027 draft. Verse offers a younger, contract-controllable pass rusher and a potential new defensive leader. However, the Browns’ projected 2026 win total remains low (?5.5 wins), indicating the trade is not expected to produce immediate playoff contention.
Official Comments from Team Executives
Andrew Berry stated that acquiring Verse and multiple future picks aligns with the organization’s “high-ceiling” rebuilding timeline and its goal of securing a franchise quarterback. Les Snead explained that the Rams “sweetened the pot” with additional draft assets after initial offers omitted Verse, and that securing Garrett’s waiver was essential to finalizing the deal. The Browns’ front office framed the trade as a necessary step toward a “new beginning” for both parties.
Concerns and Counterpoints
Sources describe Garrett as a “distraction” whose public trade requests and off-field behavior strained team culture. Analysts note that Verse, while a Pro Bowler, is viewed as a “one-trick” rusher lacking the game-changing impact of Garrett. The trade does not address the Browns’ immediate quarterback uncertainty, and the team is projected to miss the playoffs in 2026.
Immediate Reactions on the Field
Upon arrival in Cleveland, Verse publicly expressed motivation and readiness to work, signaling a positive on-the-ground reception.
Divergent Accounts and Uncertainties
Some reports claim the Rams were the sole serious suitor, while other sources suggest the Eagles and Cowboys were briefly interested but never submitted a formal offer. The exact position of the 2027 first-round pick remains uncertain, and the long-term effect on the Browns’ quarterback market remains speculative.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Myles has been a bit of a distraction for a while now. Towards the end, when he was asking for trades and airing things publicly, he started pushing. He would bring a lot of his own people around the facility, and on the sideline, he wasn’t exactly a culture guy. Still the best player in the league, but both sides were ready to move on.” — Source: A to Z Sports analyst
- “Hey, I know Myles has a no-trade clause. Are we going to have gone through all this and he's going to say no?” — Les Snead, Rams GM
- “I believe that you’re either with us or against us. And as you see, he’s not with us. That’s the nature of the NFL.” — Denzel Ward, Browns cornerback
- “If I were the Cleveland Browns fans, this is what I would do: I would start watching a lot of the University of Texas. That’s what I would do. I would keep an eye on the University of Texas because they have a quarterback by the name of Manning down there and their owner, Jimmy Haslam, is very tight with the Manning family,” — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports analyst
- “They got all of that by getting EDGE Jared Verse from the Rams along with a 2027 first-round, 2028 second-round, and 2029 third-round picks.” — Brandon Little, A to Z Sports
Future Outlook
The Browns are expected to leverage the 2027 first-rounder—potentially in a package—to move up for Arch Manning or another elite quarterback prospect. Additional moves, such as a possible trade of cornerback Denzel Ward, may follow to further free cap space. The Rams, now equipped with Garrett, aim to improve their Super Bowl odds despite surrendering multiple future picks. Both franchises will assess the long-term impact of the trade during the 2026 season.
