Remember when your ex said “it’s not you, it’s me”? Yeah, the Cleveland Browns just told Myles Garrett the exact same thing—with a $160 million contract extension and a full no-trade clause as the emotional manipulation tool.
On June 1, 2026, the NFL got hit with a bombshell that made Cleveland fans’ hearts stop faster than a quarterback seeing Garrett break through the offensive line: two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett is officially heading to the Los Angeles Rams.
If you’re a Browns fan reading this, I’m sorry. Put down your phone. Go hug something. Maybe a dog. Preferably not a Ram.
The Deal That Broke Cleveland (Again)
Here’s what went down: The Browns traded Garrett to the Rams for two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round draft pick, and other draft compensation still being negotiated.
Let’s translate this for everyone who doesn’t speak “NFL Trade Bathroom Stall Graffiti”:
| What Cleveland Got | What Cleveland Lost |
|---|---|
| Jared Verse (good, but not Garrett good) | The best defensive player in the NFL |
| 2027 first-round pick | Their entire defensive identity |
| Some other draft picks they’re still “negotiating” | Several thousand crying fans |
This is the NFL equivalent of trading your Ferrari for a really nice Toyota Corolla and a gift card to Applebee’s. Sure, the Corolla is reliable, but can it do 180 mph while screaming “I esist”?
How We Got Here: The Drama That Rivalled Succession
Let’s rewind to March 2025, because apparently, one contract extension wasn’t enough drama. Garrett had requested a trade after the Browns kept struggling (shocking, I know). The team responded with what every toxic ex does: a massive four-year, $160 million extension with $123 million in guarantees and a full no-trade clause.
Translation: “You’re stuck with us, baby. And by ‘us,’ I mean Cleveland’s quarterback situation that’s more uncertain than my commitment to New Year’s resolutions.”
Garrett signed. He was happy. Or at least he was happy enough to break the NFL’s single-season sack record during the 2025 season’s final game against Cincinnati. Everyone thought, “Ah, plot resolved. Garrett stays, Browns eventually figure out football, everyone lives happily ever after.”
Spoiler alert: That’s not how Cleveland sports works.
The Contract Modification That Seemed Innocent (But Wasn’t)
In March 2026, Garrett and the Browns agreed to modify his contract, pushing option bonus dates from late March to late August.
At the time, analysts said: “Hmm, weird timing. Maybe they’re making it easier to trade him?”
The Browns said: “Absolutely not! We have no plans to trade Garrett!”
Cleveland Browns, meet crystal ball. Crystal ball, meet Cleveland Browns’ inevitable heartbreak.
Because here’s the twist: that contract modification actually did make a trade easier. By pushing the $29.2 million option bonus deadline from spring to September, they reduced the current-year dead-cap charge associated with trading him.
It’s like saying “I’m not breaking up with you” while secretly packing your stuff into boxes labeled “Don’t Tell Anyone.”
Why This Trade Makes Sense (Unfortunately for Cleveland)
Let’s be real: the Browns were rebuilding while Garrett was trying to win. He even said it himself: “Tanking or rebuilding, that’s not me”.
Imagine being Garrett: you’re 30 years old, still playing at an elite level, and your team’s future at quarterback is “uncertain”. That’s like being LeBron James on a team that drafted a guy who thinks “pick and roll” is a yoga position.
The Rams, meanwhile, are in win-now mode and needed an edge rusher who can actually sack someone without asking for a permission slip. Garrett’s meticulous self-care suggests he’ll remain “top-rate” for at least five more years. Perfect timing for LA’s championship push.
Garrett’s Farewell: The Social Media Post That Made Everyone Cry
On June 1, 2026, Garrett took to social media to say goodbye to the Browns. The post was emotional, respectful, and probably included words like “grateful,” “blessed,” and “Cleveland forever” (the NFL version of “I’ll always love you, but I’m dating someone else now”).
Meanwhile, Browns fans were doing what they do best: questioning every life decision that led them to support this franchise.
What This Means for the Rams (And Your Fantasy Football Team)
For Los Angeles, this is game-changer territory. Garrett is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year who can single-handedly disrupt opposing offenses like a toddler with a Pacific Ring of Fire temper.
If you play fantasy football and draft players based on defensive stats (you weirdo, but respect), Garrett’s sack numbers are about to get even more annoying for quarterbacks.
For the Browns? They got youth and draft picks. Which is great if you’re building for 2028. If you’re a fan who wants to watch football now, you’re probably Googling “how to move to Los Angeles” as we speak.
The Bottom Line: Welcome to the NFL, Where Loyalty Is Optional
Myles Garrett’s trade to the Rams is a reminder that in the NFL, even contracts with full no-trade clauses are just suggestions. The league’s got a way of making “forever” last about as long as a TikTok trend.
Garrett’s getting a chance to win with a contending team. The Rams are getting the most feared pass rusher in football. Cleveland is getting… well, they’re getting Jared Verse and a lot of therapy bills.
Football’s weird like that. One minute you’re signing a $160 million extension. The next minute you’re trading the guy to the Rams while his option bonus is still doing jumping jacks in your cap sheet.