An offseason ago, the Cleveland Browns backed up the money truck to give Myles Garrett a record-setting contract and rescind his trade request. This offseason, the two sides have modified that deal. Restructuring large-money deals like Garrett’s is common to clear cap space.
This modification to Garrett’s contract is different. Both sides agreed to delay Garrett’s option bonus from March until September. A move that contract expert Jason Fitzgerald can’t understand.
In a Wednesday evening tweet reacting to the news, Fitzgerald called it “very odd.”
This is a very odd move for a contract with a no trade provision. There is zero cap benefit to the Browns and Garrett, Im assuming, is now deferring $10M that was going to be paid now to the fall. I guess maybe a bigger payment in the fall when they pick it up? https://t.co/M4F0oL9pbp
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 25, 2026
Per ESPN’s Field Yates, Garrett’s bonuses were due March 25th. Now, they won’t be paid out until seven days before the regular season begins.
Dedicating a lengthy post to the topic, Fitzgerald continued to understand why Garrett would agree to such terms.
“This is a pretty bizarre move on Garrett’s end, as it defers the payment of salary each year to Garrett and really just opens up a trade window each year, except Garrett has a no-trade provision. It is hard to really tell what the logic is here from either side.”
Garrett’s deal also takes $8 million of his base salary in 2029 and 2030 and converts it into roster bonuses, a move that could conceivably benefit Garrett by providing earlier payment.
Fitzgerald’s contention is that such a move to delay payout, on paper, opens up a trade window for the Browns to move Garrett. But Garrett’s extension also comes with a no-trade clause. Unless he waives it, Cleveland can’t deal him. Meaning, there’s little benefit to either side, but especially Garrett.
Perhaps it was an act of good faith. Or delaying a payout now to receive an earlier one in 2029 and 2030 (should the Browns elect to, at least). Or perhaps a way to make amends after his repeated speeding that has caused tickets, headlines, and even accidents. Earlier this month, Garrett racked up his ninth ticket since being drafted in 2017. Hardly a capital offense, but a bad look for a franchise player who can’t take his foot off the gas. For a franchise that’s been stuck in reverse for decades. It’s the latest quirky saga to Garrett’s time with Cleveland.
No matter the financial picture, Garrett will look to build upon his record-setting 2025 season. Another 20 sack year would make him the first player in official NFL history with consecutive such seasons, though Deacon Jones unofficially did so in 1967-1968. Garrett would become just the fourth player to ever have multiple 20-sack campaigns, joining J.J. Watt, Mark Gastineau, and Jones.
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