Browns complete blockbuster Myles Garrett trade, sending star to Rams for Jared Verse and three draft picks
Myles Garrett trade: Browns send two-time Defensive Player of the Year to the Rams for Jared Verse and three draft picks; GM Andrew Berry explains the decision.
The Cleveland Browns traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday in a deal that immediately reshapes both teams’ pass-rush outlook. The Myles Garrett trade brought back young pass rusher Jared Verse plus a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round selection and a 2029 third-round pick. General manager Andrew Berry said the package met short- and long-term objectives the club set for any transaction involving Garrett.
Deal terms and structure
The trade sends a high-profile veteran to the Rams in exchange for a mix of a cost-controlled player and future draft capital. Jared Verse, the 19th overall pick in 2024 and the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year as a rookie, joins Cleveland immediately. The additional assets are a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick.
The Rams and Browns also negotiated a modification to Garrett’s contract before the draft, deferring option payments scheduled over the 2026–28 seasons. That adjustment moved the first payment of about $10 million to near the start of the regular season, a change Cleveland said made the financial framework workable. Team officials described the payment shift as an important component that allowed discussions to progress.
Front office rationale
Berry said the Browns did not enter the offseason planning expecting to trade Garrett, but called the opportunity presented by the Rams too compelling to ignore. He stressed that any deal had to provide both immediate on-field value and long-term roster flexibility. “The opportunity was too great,” Berry said when explaining why the team pivoted from its original offseason approach.
Berry outlined three constraints that guided negotiations: short- and long-term benefits, acquisition of a young premium player on a cost-controlled contract, and acquisition of premium draft picks. When the Rams’ proposal satisfied those criteria, the Browns’ leadership paused and reevaluated their plans, ultimately deciding the package met the franchise’s needs.
Negotiation timeline and ownership involvement
Discussions between the Rams and Browns began before the NFL draft after Garrett agreed to the payment deferral, according to Cleveland’s front office. Cleveland initially told Los Angeles Garrett was not available, but the Rams’ general manager continued to refine proposals until a framework was reached. Talks intensified after the draft, culminating in a meeting between owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam and Garrett last Saturday.
Berry said communication with Garrett was maintained during the negotiation period and that the player was informed about the possibility roughly a week before the deal. The Browns emphasized that Garrett was not blindsided and that the club owed him the courtesy of advance notice as talks progressed.
Incoming player profile: Jared Verse
Jared Verse arrives in Cleveland after two seasons in the NFL that showcased his pass-rush upside and disruptive playmaking. Verse recorded 4.5 sacks as a rookie and increased that total to 7.5 sacks in his second season, adding three forced fumbles. Browns officials described Verse as a “perfect DNA match” for their attacking front and highlighted his ability to impact both run defense and pass rush.
Verse is expected to join the Browns’ voluntary organized team activities immediately and the team said he would travel to Cleveland Tuesday night and be on the field for Wednesday’s practice. Berry noted Verse’s excitement about the move and said the young edge rusher is enthusiastic about fitting into the Browns’ defensive scheme.
Coaching and roster implications
Coach Todd Monken, who was hired in late January, had limited in-person contact with Garrett during the offseason and has already begun planning with the roster that will include Verse. Cleveland will conclude its offseason program with mandatory minicamp next week, giving the coaching staff an opportunity to integrate the new personnel. Berry maintained that acquiring Verse allows the Browns to continue to play defense at a high level while also preserving salary-cap flexibility.
The trade also forces Cleveland to contemplate depth and alignment changes along its defensive front, as the club moves from a veteran pass-rush cornerstone to a younger, ascending player plus draft capital. Front-office leaders indicated the picks will be used to accelerate a roster renewal process while maintaining competitiveness.
The Browns’ decision to move Garrett marks a major roster pivot driven by a rare combination of draft assets and a young, cost-controlled replacement. The move will be measured in seasons to come by how well Verse and the acquired picks are converted into sustained defensive production and roster stability.
