The Cleveland Browns and Myles Garrett agreed to a four-year, $160 million contract extension last March with $88.8 million guaranteed at signing and a no-trade clause, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at the time after reportedly requesting a trade a month before, citing his desire to win. He followed that up by breaking the single-season sack record with 23 while earning his seventh Pro Bowl, fifth First-Team All-Pro selection, and second Defensive Player of the Year award, all during his age-29 season with no signs of slowing down.
Garrett was scheduled to earn a $29.2 million option bonus on March 25, along with $32.5 million guaranteed and $32.5 million in cash, while carrying a $23.474 million cap charge in 2026, per Over The Cap. However, he will not yet receive the option bonus.
Cleveland Browns modify contract language of 7x-Pro Bowler
USATSI 27931429 168422142 lowres
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is pursued by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) in the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
According to Field Yates ofESPN, the Browns and Myles Garrett have agreed to modify some of the language in his contract, which became official on Tuesday, benefiting both the team’s cap flexibility and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Both parties agreed to move the $29.2 million option bonus due date from March 25 to September 6, a week before the start of the regular season. Additionally, $8 million of Garrett’s base salary in both 2029 and 2030 was converted into roster bonuses, payable if he is on the roster at some point around the start of the new league year.
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: https://t.co/bUrYox8txT
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 25, 2026
Jack Duffin, a salary cap expert at 247 Sports, believes that modifying Garrett’s contract could pave the way for a potential trade this offseason, likely after June 1. This allows the dead cap to split into 2027 rather than absorbing the $41.09 million in dead cap and losing $17.416 million in cap space. A hypothetical trade would clear $8.14 million in cap space on June 2nd, while taking on $15.534 million dead cap in 2026 and $25.556 million in 2027. However, insider Mary Kay Cabot ofCleveland.com has shut down trade rumors, and the front office does not plan to trade him.
Cleveland #Browns Open The Door To Trading Myles Garretthttps://t.co/UJFswoRRC6
— Jack Duffin (@JackDuffin) March 25, 2026
Here’s what a trading team would inherit
Cleveland Browns, Myles Garrett
Sep 7, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) is introduced before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
A trading team would inherit Myles Garrett’s base salary, guaranteed money, per-game bonus, workout bonus, roster bonus, and option bonuses, essentially a five-year, $180 million contract with $98 million guaranteed. He also has a $39.358 million option bonus for 2027, due a week before the start of the regular season, and a $21.406 million option bonus for 2028, also due a week before the start of the regular season. Additionally, if Garrett is on the roster by the third day of the 2027 new league year, $22.796 million of his 2028 salary becomes fully guaranteed. Lastly, the two $8 million roster bonuses for 2029 and 2030 are due around the start of each year’s new league year.
Below, I created an Excel spreadsheet detailing what a trading team would inherit each year. The option bonuses will be prorated throughout the life of the contract, giving them cap flexibility, as some cap hits are much lower than the total cash earned in the year. Another note: his $1 million per-game active and workout bonuses for 2026 and 2027 are guaranteed.
Screenshot 49 1
Deal a new team would acquire trading for Myles Garrett
2026 – $9,140,000
2027 – $17,056,600
2028 – $21,382,800
2029 – $57,992,800
2030 – $57,992,800
2031 – $16,434,000 (dead cap)
Per Field Yates’ report there was a change to the 2029 & 2030 yearshttps://t.co/3PRIdQcTVC
— Jack Duffin (@JackDuffin) March 26, 2026
Since Myles Garrett has a no-trade clause, he would need to approve the trade to waive it, ideally wanting to join a team in Super Bowl contention. A potential trade could net the Browns at least two first-round picks, possibly even three. The Micah Parsons trade set the precedent last August when the Packers sent two first-round picks and three-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark to the Cowboys for Parsons.
Also Read: Look: Myles Garrett Can’t Stop Smiling Over Chloe Kim’s Adorable Sack Record Celebration