Rams Go All-In: Myles Garrett Traded to Los Angeles in Blockbuster Deal That Reshapes the NFL Landscape
The Los Angeles Rams have acquired two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns, instantly transforming into Super Bowl favorites and ending Garrett's nine-season, record-breaking tenure in Cleveland.
The NFL's biggest trade of 2026 was finalized on Monday, sending superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns to the Los Angeles Rams. The blockbuster deal sees the Browns acquire pass rusher Jared Verse, the 2024 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, along with a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick.
End of an Era in Cleveland
Garrett, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, leaves Cleveland as the franchise's all-time sack leader with 125.5 sacks. He earned seven All-Pro selections, five of them first-team, and was the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 after breaking the NFL single-season sack record with 23. Despite his individual dominance, the Browns struggled to a 5-12 record last season and went 54-79-1 in games he played, making the playoffs just twice.
Cleveland made me tougher. You challenged me. You taught me about perseverance, about showing up even when things aren't easy, and what loyalty really looks like.
Garrett had previously demanded a trade during Super Bowl week in early 2025, but signed a four-year, $204.8 million extension in March 2025 that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at the time. Frustration with the team's direction persisted, and in March 2026, the Browns and Garrett agreed to modify the contract to defer option payments, paving the way for Monday's trade.
We were sincere in that desire as we entered this offseason and did not envision a world where Myles was not a Cleveland Brown. However, as we embark on a new era of Browns football with a young core and a replenished asset base, we felt this move was important to our transition.
The Rams' Super Bowl Calculus
The Rams, who will host Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium on February 14, 2027, are betting heavily on Garrett's game-wrecking ability. This is the second blockbuster trade for an All-Pro defender in three months, following the acquisition of cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs. The move echoes the franchise's 2021 strategy when they traded for Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. en route to winning a Super Bowl at home.
When the Rams first approached us with the possibility of trading Myles, we remained convicted in our position, but as discussions intensified we were stuck at a legitimate crossroads... hold on to a truly generational player who has become the identity of our team, or do we make the difficult decision that we think is best for the organization over the long run?
Garrett joins a defense that already ranked fifth in pressure rate and tied for seventh in sacks last season. He is coming off a campaign with 23 sacks, top-four rankings in both quarterback pressures and quick pressures, and the fastest get-off time in the NFL at 0.70 seconds on average.
Market Reaction and Odds Shift
The response from bookmakers was immediate and seismic. The Rams moved from +800 to +600 to win the Super Bowl, leaving the next-closest contenders, the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks, at +1000. Austin Mock's projection model increased the Rams' championship probability from 14.1 percent to 17.1 percent following the trade.
- Cleveland Browns select Myles Garrett with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
- Garrett publicly demands a trade during Super Bowl week.
- Garrett signs a four-year, $204.8 million contract extension, becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
- Garrett expresses frustration after a 23-9 loss to Pittsburgh, saying 'to lose the same way every time, it's frustrating as hell.'
- Garrett finishes the 2025 season with an NFL-record 23 sacks and wins his second Defensive Player of the Year award.
- Browns and Garrett agree to modify his contract, deferring option payments to facilitate a potential trade.
- Browns trade Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Verse and three draft picks.
What the Browns Get in Return
The centerpiece of the return for Cleveland is Jared Verse, a 25-year-old edge rusher who was the 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. In two seasons with the Rams, Verse has recorded 124 tackles, 12 sacks, and 22 tackles for loss. The Browns also receive significant draft capital, including a 2027 first-round pick that could position them to select a franchise quarterback like Texas' Arch Manning or Oregon's Dante Moore.
Chief among the considerations to make the decision was the inclusion of Jared Verse -- a player our fan base will love. We receive a young, elite player at a premium position who will only continue to improve.
A Day of Blockbuster Moves
The Garrett trade headlined a frenetic day of NFL transactions. The Philadelphia Eagles traded star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Brown, a three-time All-Star and key figure in the Eagles' 2025 Super Bowl victory, leaves Philadelphia with the franchise single-season receiving record of 1,496 yards set in 2022. Additionally, the New York Giants announced the return of Odell Beckham Jr., who had been a free agent since a brief stint with the Miami Dolphins in 2024.
