In time for the 2026 NFL Draft next month, the Cleveland Browns have reworked the contract of All-Pro Myles Garrett, which likely signals the team is preparing to trade him. With the new modified contract, both sides have agreed to push the bonuses of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to seven days before the start of the regular season. Last offseason, Garrett requested a trade, but the team gave him a deal he couldn’t turn down after agreeing to a four-year, $160 million extension. The Browns haven’t indicated that Garrett is available, but they’ve made it easier for teams to inquire about the defensive end.
Selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the former Texas A&M product is still arguably the best pass-rusher in the league. Other than Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson, Garrett tops the list, breaking the single-season sack record set by the Steelers’ T.J. Watt previously. However, it’s time for Garrett to find a home where he can win a championship.
Browns Expected to Trade Seven-Time Pro Bowler Myles Garrett After Latest News
Garrett has made it clear in a previous season that he wants to win sooner rather than later. Unfortunately for Cleveland, the team is not in the right space to win football games after hiring new head coach Todd Monken. This means the team is nowhere near being a postseason contender, and if they’re rebuilding once again, Garrett most likely doesn’t want to be a part of that.
The 30-year-old isn’t getting any younger, so the Browns have to act quickly to fetch the best draft capital from a team. It’s probably why the Browns were flexible to adjust Garrett’s contract, and these three teams are likely the top fits for the defensive end.
Best Available Fits
Dallas Cowboys
This might be Jerry Jones’ moment to pull the ultimate trigger next month. The Cowboys reportedly pushed hard for Crosby, but since he’s staying in Las Vegas, the team could turn its attention to Garrett. Dallas traded Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas for draft capital, which suggests the team will make a trade at least during Night 1 of the draft. However, the Cowboys will most likely need to increase their offer for Garrett, given his stability and health.
Jones hasn’t been the same as everyone remembers. If he has to “bust the budget” to get this team into the Super Bowl conversation, he will do that by bringing in Garrett as the new member of the organization.
New England Patriots
Meanwhile, nobody should sleep on head coach Mike Vrabel. The Patriots’ defense was solid, led by Milton Williams, Harold Landry and now they’ve brought in Dre’Mont Jones via free agency this offseason. Unfortunately, the team likely will cut Landry due to injury concerns. This would open the door for the Patriots to make a strong push for Garrett. The team wants to keep the Super Bowl window wide open for years, led by quarterback Drake Maye.
Philadelphia Eagles
Another team that will likely be aggressive is the Philadelphia Eagles. The team lost one of their better edge-rushers, Jaelan Phillips, to the Carolina Panthers. With that, expect GM Howie Roseman to push hard for the Defensive Player of the Year. It wasn’t too long before the Eagles won with a defensive-laden team, a couple of seasons ago, against Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl.