Why Joe Thomas believes Browns made 'right decision' trading Myles Garrett

The Cleveland Browns shocked the NFL world by trading Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams on June 1 for Jared Verse and three draft picks.

At least one Browns franchise legend believes the team made the right decision in dealing the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

That would be Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Thomas, who was asked about Cleveland's blockbuster deal during a June 21 appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

Thomas first acknowledged the Garrett trade would be "tough" for Cleveland fans.

"For several of those seasons that Myles was here in Cleveland, he was like the one thing we got to cheer for," Thomas explained. "Last year, out of the playoff hunt for a long time, but he gave us a reason to be proud as Browns fans, to see him chasing that sack record and to finally get it. Just to see the commitment that he had on the field to his team and to the city, it was incredible."

"So, it was really hard to hear that he was traded," he added. "It hurts everybody that Myles is not a Brown anymore."

However, Thomas also noted that - despite how good Garrett has been for the Browns - Cleveland's ultimate goal remains to shape itself into a perennial contender.

"I'm not willing to accept the fact that we're only allowed to think that our ceiling as Browns fans is to cheer for a player that is having a good season or breaking a record," Thomas said. "I don't want to lose sight of the fact that we're still here to try to win championships."

That's something the Browns were unable to do during Thomas' 11 seasons with the team. Cleveland only once posted a winning record with the stalwart left tackle in tow. That came during his rookie season in 2007.

As such, Thomas understands why it will be beneficial for the Browns to cash in on a "valuable asset" like Garrett as the team builds toward a future about which the 41-year-old former tackle seems excited.

"When you look at the Myles trade, to be able to get a great young player like Jared Verse, who's a tremendous pass rusher, who is a great asset to that team - he's on a friendly contract, saving money there. Getting three draft choices for Myles - first, second and a third - it puts us in a much better position for the next two, three, four years as we're in this building phase," Thomas said.

"So, as you step away from the emotion of losing Myles, you realize this puts the team in a much better situation moving forward. And it was the right decision even though it hurts."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Myles Garrett trade was 'right decision,' says Browns legend