Why Browns traded Myles Garrett after once being adamantly against it
The Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns have opened the month of June with a blockbuster trade that has shaken up the NFL.
The Rams are acquiring edge rusher Myles Garrett from the Browns for a package that includes 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick, a person familiar with the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the deal.
Garrett has been with the Browns since Cleveland selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He generated 125.5 sacks across his 10 seasons with the Browns, earning twice being named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year and being named an All-Pro first teamer five times.
Now, the 30-year-old will try to help the Rams win another Super Bowl amid their all-in push while the Browns will continue to rebuild and get younger.
How did the Garrett trade come together? Here's what to know about the league-changing trade.
Why did the Browns trade Myles Garrett?The Rams began to demonstrate interest in Garrett after the Browns altered his contract in March, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The contract restructure made it easier for the Browns to trade him, as his option bonuses were moved from the 15th day of the league year in March to seven days before the start of the 2026 regular season.
The Browns were originally "adamant about not trading Myles Garrett," according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
However, Rapoport noted the Rams were "persistent" in their pursuit of Garrett and continued calling the Browns in hopes of working out a deal. Eventually, the Rams included Verse in the discussions along with high-end draft capital.
After that, Rapoport noted that the deal "was on," and the two parties eventually agreed to the terms of the trade June 1.
What the Browns said about a Myles Garrett tradeBrowns general manager Andrew Berry confirmed the team was negotiating a potential trade involving Garrett during the Browns Foundation Golf Tournament.
"Nothing is final at this point. We are in discussions of a potential transaction including him," Berry said. "I'll have a lot more to say about it once it is final, if it does become final, and I'll discuss the details at that point. But we are in negotiations. We're hopeful we can close something here in the next several hours, but nothing's final right yet."
#Browns Andrew Berry says the Myles Garrett trade talks are underway but nothing is final: pic.twitter.com/tJ1AUweCOF
- Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) June 1, 2026