Los Angeles bets big on a Super Bowl return, acquiring the elite defender for Jared Verse and premium draft picks as Cleveland pivots toward a total franchise reset.
For the second year in a row, the NFL offseason is shaken up by the dealing of a star pass rusher. This time, it's Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett.
Per ESPN and NFL Network Insiders, the Browns are finalizing a deal that will send the elite edge rusher to the Los Angeles Rams. In return, the Browns will get another promising, young defensive end: 2024 first-rounder Jared Verse.
Cleveland is also expected to receive a 2027 first-round selection and other picks from the Rams, who are well-known for being aggressive with their draft capital on the trade market.
For more on the Browns angle and how this trade fuels Cleveland's eventual restart, Browns Roundtable writer Spencer German has an in-depth look.
Meanwhile, the Rams are wisely going all-in on their closing Super Bowl window. With an unknown future for quarterback Matthew Stafford beyond 2026, Los Angeles is looking to invest in its opportunity to trigger another deep playoff run sooner rather than later.
Garrett provides an immediate boost over an already-promising young player in Verse. The team is effectively exchanging long-term development for immediate difference-making. Garrett and defensive end Byron Young will provide the Rams with a strong duo of edge defenders.
The rumors around Garrett's future have been spiraling for multiple years now, with him even publicly questioning his chances to win in Cleveland. Those odds just boosted significantly in his favor now that he's on his way to Los Angeles, joining a team that competed in the NFC Championship just last season.
Garrett finished the 2025 season with 60 total tackles, 33 tackles for a loss and a league-leading 23 sacks, the NFL record for most sacks in a single season.
