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Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns looks on prior to the game against the New England Patriots
A year ago, as the New England Patriots were building a roster that would wind up winning the AFC and earning a spot in the Super Bowl, an interesting potential opportunity arose. The Cowboys had reached a contract impasse with star pass-rusher Micah Parsons, and were looking to make a deal for him. At the time, the Patriots had no idea just how good they could be, and did not see themselves as ready to trade away multiple draft assets for one player, even a player of Parsons’ caliber.
Mike Vrabel and the Pats remained on the sidelines of trade talks for Parsons, who was sent to Green Bay.
If that opportunity presented itself again, the Patriots might not be so quick to pass on the chance to get involved. It has not happened yet, but recent contract maneuvers between the Cleveland Browns and star Myles Garrett have set off trade rumors on Garrett, who has a no-trade clause but could be willing to waive it to go to a winner.
There’s no hard evidence the Browns will shop Garrett but if they do, the Patriots would have to, at least, make a legitimate offer for him. Dropping a player like Garrett onto a roster that has already proven itself could make New England a true wrecking crew in 2026.
Patriots Would Be a ‘Trade Landing Spot’ for Myles Garrett
In an article titled, “New Myles Garrett Trade Landing Spots as Reworked Browns Contract Fuels Speculation,” Bleacher Report cites the Patriots as a sensible spot for Garrett, given their favorable cap situation and provided New England is willing to cough up the draft assets to make a deal happen.
The site notes: “With quarterback Drake Maye still on his rookie deal, the Patriots cap situation is as good as it’s going to get for a while—with over $35 million in wiggle room, the Pats have the sixth-most cap space in the league. The team could also stand to improve the pass-rush. …
“Again, New England doesn’t really have a player to include in the trade that Cleveland would covet (even if some fans would like to throw tackle Will Campbell in), so the cost in picks would be steep.”
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel
GettyNew England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel
Patriots Could Offer Picks, Players
Presumably, the cost for Garrett–for the Patriots or anyone–would mirror what the Packers paid for Parsons, which was two first-round picks and a useful player (Kenny Clark). The Patriots would not include Campbell, but it’s wrong to say they have no players to include. Cleveland has arguably the worst receiver group in the NFL, and one of (or some combination of) Kyle Williams, Pop Douglas and/or Kayshon Boutte could at least be included as assets.
Even with one of those added, though, bringing in Garrett would still cost two first-rounders, and perhaps a Day 2 pick, to boot.
Myles Garrett Worth the Cost
That’s not cheap, of course. Nor should it be. Garrett is coming off a year in which he had 23.0 sacks (5.0 against the Patriots) and set a new single-season record. He is easily the best edge in the game, and not just because he has amassed 125.0 sacks in his nine-year career, and has led the league in tackles for loss the past two years.
Garrett is a rare breed in that he can get after the quarterback but also rates well in defending the run. Pro Football Focus rates Garrett as the No. 1 pass-rusher among all edge defenders (obviously) but the site also rates him No. 3 in the NFL against the run.
That, of course, is worth the price the Browns would ask–if they do decide to trade Garrett.