The Cleveland Browns signed Defensive End Myles Garrett to a historic contract extension on Sunday. Garrett will make $40 million per year and $123.5 million in guaranteed money. It makes him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history. The contract includes a no-trade clause and ties Garrett to the Browns through the 2030 season.
Garett requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns last month and doubled down on his trade demand in the ensuing weeks. The team and General Manager Andrew Berry also held firm they would not be trading Garrett this offseason. Garrett reportedly requested a meeting with Owner Jimmy Haslam to discuss the next steps. The owner refused to honor this request. After much posturing from both sides, Garrett will be a member of the Cleveland Browns for years to come. Will this contract work out well for both sides?
Cleveland Browns Offseason Summary
Garrett is one of the best defenders in the league. That is why it never made sense for Cleveland to trade him this offseason. He is not showing any signs of slowing down as he was second in the league in sacks last season. It was his whopping seventh consecutive season with 10+ sacks. Garett also made league history by being the first player with 14+ sacks in four straight years.
Garrett returns to a Cleveland Browns team in turmoil. The team must figure out what to do at the quarterback situation. Quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a rash of injuries that put his 2025 season in doubt. Cleveland has the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Cleveland should focus on finding an answer at the quarterback position with that pick.
Final Thoughts
With Garrett signing a lucrative contract extension, his trade request could have been a leverage play to become the highest-paid non-QB in league history. Garrett could have also seen the writing on the wall that he would not get traded to another team. Regardless of the rationale, Garrett and the Cleveland Browns will continue to be tied at the hip for years. A future Hall of Famer received a well-deserved raise while the Browns retained one of the best players in franchise history.
