Khalil Mack is the modern day example of what not to do with one of these pass rushers. After four seasons and 40.5 sacks with the Oakland Raiders, Mack was traded to the Chicago Bears. In four seasons with the Bears, Mack posted another 36 sacks. Then he hit the dreaded age of 30. The Bears traded Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers. He's had 31 sacks in three years including 2023 where he had 17 sacks. Mack just re-signed with the Chargers at 34 years old for $16 million guaranteed.
These guys are bult different. Myles Garrett is not a Bosa. He's durable, worth his weight in gold. The Browns were never going to get back enough in return to validate the damage a trade. Given the fact he could potentially play for another decade, the Browns absolutely have time to rebuild and compete with him playing at a high level.
The biggest threat to the Browns is they screw it up and Garretts walk away like Barry Sanders or Calvin Johnson. That's not a reason to trade him, but it is a reason to for urgency. The organization needs to get this right so Garrett can have more opportunities to play postseason football.
Nevertheless, the player most likely to still be on the Browns when the Brook Park dome opens in 2029? Myles Garrett. There's every reason to believe he will play out this contract and get another one. There might be more after that.
Garrett has 102.5 sacks through eight seasons. When he gets to 125 and eventually 150 sacks, it'll be in a Browns uniform. Matching Bruce Smith's 200 would be a monumental undertaking, but it's not out of the question.
Cleveland has been lucky in having two of the best athletes in this century to call their city home. LeBron had the ability to leave twice. The Cavs never gave him away. The Browns would've been fools to give Garrett away. Time will tell just how long Garrett will play in the NFL, but there's every reason for the Browns to keep betting the over.