Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
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The San Francisco 49ers are in a window where they need to win now, given the ages of some of their core players and their decision to pursue veteran free agents this offseason, like Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, and Dre Greenlaw, who are in their late 20s to early 30s.
As a result, could the Niners make a trade that allows them to swing for the fences and send a message to the rest of the league that they are looking to win a Super Bowl in the 2026 season?
In an April 7 article,CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell wrote that rather than draft and develop a pass rusher ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, the 49ers need to go for a home run move in trading for the Cleveland Browns‘ Myles Garrett.
“San Francisco might be able to thread the needle and both acquire Garrett in a package led by their 27th overall pick in 2026 and draft a few other players this year,” Podell wrote.
“The 49ers need to go for it with running back Christian McCaffrey turning 30 on June 7, wide receiver Mike Evans turning 33 on Aug. 21 and left tackle Trent Williams turning 38 on July 19. Garrett would solidify their defense in a way that would allow them to compete with Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams for NFC supremacy.”
49ers Need to Trade for Myles Garrett the Most
Furthermore, Podell explained why the 49ers are the team that most needs to trade for Garrett.
“With both 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year edge rusher Nick Bosa and 2025 first-round pick defensive lineman Mykel Williams suffering season-ending injuries, the 49ers recorded the fewest sacks in 2025 (20) and averaged the fewest sacks per game (1.18) by a playoff team in NFL history,” Podell wrote.
“Head coach Kyle Shanahan and then-defensive coordinator Robert Saleh were able to patchwork their way through to a 12-5 regular season record and an NFC divisional round appearance. However, the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks showed how big of a gap there truly was between the divisional round and the Super Bowl by walloping them 41-6.”
Will the Browns Be Open to Trading Myles Garrett?
On March 25,ESPN reported, citing league sources, that the Browns and Garrett agreed to modified contract language that became official on March 24. Moreover, it’s because of these changes that there’s trade speculation now regarding Garrett.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry was quick to dismiss any talk of trading Garrett while speaking to the media on March 29.
“Myles is a career Brown,” Berry said (h/tMary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com). “He is one of the faces of our organization. I think we’ve been very clear both past and present in terms of our feelings.”
Despite Berry saying that Cleveland has no interest in trading Garrett, Tom Withers of 92.3 The Fan believes this stance could change.
“This to me, and whether the Browns are doing this intentionally or not, is a signal; it’s the bat signal to the rest of the league that we’re open for business, come talk to us,”Withers said in a April 2 video from 92.3 The Fan. “The drive‑through window is open. Make us an offer we can’t refuse.
“I’m not saying that they’re shopping him — they’re not — but I think they’re making it palatable, if that’s the right word, for teams to come inquire and take a look at the menu, take a look at what’s on the rack. He has been quiet, though.”