Browns Trade Star DE Myles Garrett To Rams

The Los Angeles Rams have done it again, acquiring a premier defensive star.

The Rams reportedly are going to acquire three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns in a blockbuster deal. Cleveland will acquire edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick, according to NFL Network and ESPN.

While the trade has reportedly been agreed upon, Browns general manager Andrew Berry declined to go into detail about the deal when he spoke with reporters on Monday.

"Nothing is final at this point. We are in discussions of a potential transaction including [Garrett]," Berry said. "I'll have a lot more to say about it once it is final, if it does become final. I'll discuss the details at that point. But we are in negotiations and we're hopeful we'll complete something here in the next several hours.

"I'll have an update for you guys maybe as soon as tomorrow."

Berry declined to say if Garrett requested a trade when asked in a follow-up question. 

Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the Browns last season, indicating he wanted to remain with Cleveland for the long haul. Garrett and the Browns adjusted his contract earlier in the offseason around free agency, seemingly opening the door to a potential move away from Cleveland. Now, he lands with the Super Bowl favorites, according to most sportsbooks. After news of the trade broke, the Rams went down to +650 at DraftKings, with the Seahawks, Bills and Ravens all at +1000.

Garrett, 30, is a five-time first-team All-Pro selection and is coming off a season that saw him win his second Defensive Player of the Year award. He set the NFL record for most sacks in a season with 23 and has at least 14 sacks in each of the past five seasons.

With the deal, the 2026 Rams will become the first team to have the reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year on the same roster in NFL history, excluding the instances when a player won both awards. Quarterback Matthew Stafford won MVP last season, which was the first time he had won the honor. 

Verse had a big rookie season in 2024 that saw him win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Last season, he was a Pro Bowl selection for the second time after posting 7.5 sacks, 27 QB hits and three forced fumbles.

The Rams have overhauled their defense this offseason. It started in the secondary by acquiring cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Chiefs for a first-round pick, and then Los Angeles signed McDuffie’s Kansas City teammate, Jaylen Watson, to a three-year deal in free agency.

Now, the Rams have upgraded their pass rush by acquiring the best in the game. Garrett will slot in for Verse and rush the passer on the opposite side of Byron Young.

Prior to Monday's trade, FOX Sports' Ralph Vacchiano had the Rams ranked second in his most recent power rankings.

"I remain bullish, but I got squeamish when I looked at their schedule," Vacchiano wrote. "They’ll travel 34,847 miles this season, which can’t be good for Matthew Stafford’s 38-year-old back. And facing the Seahawks twice in the final three games caps a brutal final two months."

FOX Sports' Ben Arthur, meanwhile, ranked the Rams' defense as the fifth-best defensive unit in the NFL ahead of Monday's trade.

"The Rams already had one of the best defensive fronts in football and now have a top-tier cornerback tandem in former All-Pro Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, both of whom were previously with the Chiefs," Arthur wrote. "With Chris Shula returning as coordinator, Los Angeles has a championship-caliber defense."

Now, the Rams have arguably the best units on both sides of the ball as they try to make another Super Bowl run.