Sports

Myles Garrett Traded: The Browns Move Their Franchise Icon in a Blockbuster Deal With Rams

The Browns have traded franchise cornerstone Myles Garrett to the Rams, ending a nine-year run that began with the No. 1 overall pick in 2017. 

by Jaden Stambolia | Jun. 1, 2026 | 1:58 PM

Courtesy Associated Press

Courtesy Associated Press

After going 1-15 in the 2016 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns invested the first overall pick in the following draft into Myles Garrett not just to be an infusion of talent to the team but to be the face of the biggest sports team the city has. Now, after nine years, he is being traded away to one of the most prominent markets in the country. 

According to multiple reports, the Browns are sending the NFL Defensive Player of the Year to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Pro Bowl pass rusher Jared Verse, with draft compensation still being hammered out. One of the picks that is coming back to Cleveland is a 2027 first-rounder.

Garrett, 30, is under contract until 2030, but Verse, a 2024 draft pick, is still under his rookie contract until 2027. The Browns would have the opportunity to pick up his 2028 option to keep him if the franchise doesn't extend the defensive player, per Spotrac.

According to ESPN, the Browns will likely save $30 million by trading Garrett. But the face of the franchise and one of the most talented defensive players to ever take the field leaves behind a record of 55-81-1 during his nine seasons, with only one playoff win. 

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Jaden Stambolia

Jaden Stambolia is an editorial assistant at Cleveland Magazine. Since joining the magazine in 2024 as an intern, he's covered topics as diverse as arts, culture, civics and education. He holds a master's degree in communication from Cleveland State University as well as a bachelor's degrees in journalism, anthropology and political science. In his free time, you can catch Stambolia reading a book or drinking a margarita.

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