Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett.
Getty
Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett.
Myles Garrett’s contract with the Cleveland Browns looks a little different than it did when he signed his monster extension last offseason.
After a trade demand standoff, Garrett agreed to remain with the Browns on a four-year, $160 million contract — a record for a defensive player at the time. The Browns and Garrett have agreed to revise that contract, per Field Yates of ESPN.
“The Browns and refining Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett agreed to some modified language in his contract this week that provides some cap flexibility for the team going forward, as well as some option bonus payment benefit for Garrett,” Yates said.
The biggest change is that instead of the team having to decide whether to exercise his option bonuses on a fixed date early in the offseason, they now have until a week before the regular season to make that call. It gives Cleveland much more flexibility to manage its salary cap throughout the offseason.
Garrett also benefits because the timing and structure of those option bonus payments hitting his bank account were tweaked in his favor. On top of that, $8 million of his base salary in 2029 and 2030 was converted into roster bonuses, which gives the Browns more cap relief in those years while Garrett retains the money.
It’s provided he is on the roster, but given that he’s a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and the NFL’s all-time single-season sack record holder, it seems like a safe bet.
Myles Garrett Trade Rumors Persist
There has been speculation that Garrett may not be thrilled with the direction of the franchise following the hire of offensive-minded head coach Tommy Monken and the departure of Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who was passed over for the job.
Garrett has been clear that he’ll remain committed to the franchise as long as winning is the priority. He’s not interested in a rebuild.
“I’m committed to winning, and as long as the team is doing so and they’re committed to that same thing, then I’m all on board,” Garrett said at the end of last season. “But if we’re thinking anything other than winning — tanking or rebuilding, that’s not me.”
The trade rumors have persisted this offseason, but there has been no traction or basis behind them. And a wrinkle worth noting: Garrett has a no-trade clause in his contract. The clause doesn’t mean the Browns can’t trade Garrett. It means they’d need his approval to do so, giving him the power to choose his future destination.
Browns Star Myles Garrett Focused on Winning Super Bowl
Garrett has racked up the personal accolades. But the Browns are coming off eight wins and two seasons. A championship is firmly on his radar as the next box he wants to check off.
“A Super Bowl would be great. That’s the way I always wanted my career to go. To be able to knock out each one of these. I would have knocked it out earlier if I could, but it’s all God’s timing,” Garrett told Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland. “Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP would be amazing. But right now, I’m just taking it day by day. I’m happy with what I’ve done. I’m not satisfied but taking a second to breathe. When all the dust is settled, I’m just appreciative that I’ve even got to this point. Taking it one day at a time.”
The Browns have a long way to go to get to contender status. The team still has significant work to do on the offensive side of the ball. That starts at quarterback and what direction the Browns decide to go in moving forward. Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and Dillon Gabriel are the passers the team has under contract for next season.