Full Breakdown
Joe Thomas Weighs In on Myles Garrett Trade: Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Potential
6/23/2026, 12:54:40 AM
The Trade That Shifted Cleveland's Landscape
Earlier this month, the Cleveland Browns traded defensive end Myles Garrett to the Rams. Cleveland received pass-rusher Jared Verse, a first-round, a second-round and a third-round draft pick. The deal ends Garrett’s eight-year run as the Browns’ marquee defender.
Key Participants
Key participants include former left tackle Joe Thomas, who shared a 2017 season with Myles Garrett before retiring; Garrett, the departing defensive star who anchored the Browns’ defense for eight years; pass-rusher Jared Verse, the incoming talent; and the Browns’ front office that arranged the draft picks.
Trade Assets and Outlook
Verse, called a “tremendous pass rusher,” has a “friendly contract” that saves cap space. The first-, second-, and third-round picks give Cleveland assets to shape the roster over the next two to four years, fitting the building phase.
Official Perspective from a Browns Legend
Thomas said the trade surprised fans and caused pain, but argued that focusing on a single star limits expectations. He noted that Verse’s friendly contract and the draft capital support long-term championship aims, and that stepping back from the loss shows a better situation for the team.
Fan Sentiment and Criticism
Thomas quoted the trade “hurts everybody that Myles is not a Brown anymore,” echoing fan disappointment after Garrett’s record-chasing years. Reaction highlights criticism that the Browns have relied on individual stars instead of sustained team success.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Yeah, I mean, I think the news came out, it probably caught a lot of people by surprise,” — Joe Thomas, former Browns offensive tackle
- “So it was really hard to hear that he was traded. It hurts everybody that Myles is not a Brown anymore.” — Joe Thomas
- “I’m not willing to accept the fact that we’re only allowed to think that our ceiling as Browns fans is to cheer for a player that’s having a good season, or breaking a record,” — Joe Thomas
- “So, as you step away from the emotion of losing Myles, you realize this puts the team in a much better situation moving forward. And it was the right decision, even though it hurts.” — Joe Thomas
Looking Ahead for the Browns
With Verse on a friendly contract and draft picks, Cleveland enters a building phase. The team hopes the assets will deepen the roster and help win championships.
Implications for the Browns' Future
The combination of a pass rusher on a friendly contract and three early-round picks puts Cleveland in a position to build its roster over the next two to four years. If the assets develop as hoped, the trade could shift the franchise from a single-player focus to a more balanced, competitive roster.
