Myles Garrett
Getty
FOX Sports's Ralph Vacchiano proposed the Philadelphia Eagles offer Jalen Carter as part of a trade package to land Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett.
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry told reporters at the NFL’s annual league meetings the team is not trading two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. But NFL pundits continue to work under the assumption that if Berry gets a king’s ransom offer, he could change his mind.
FOX Sports’s Ralph Vacchiano explored that scenario this week. Vacchiano proposed the possibility of the Philadelphia Eagles not only including multiple picks but also second-team All-Pro defensive lineman Jalen Carter.
“It would be one of the biggest blockbusters in years, considering Garrett has won two of the past three Defensive Player of the Year awards, just set the single-season sack record and is one year into a four-year, $160 million contract,” wrote Vacchiano. “Cleveland might not want to trade him, but what if the Eagles offered Jalen Carter as part of the package in return?
“Not crazy, considering Philly just signed defensive tackle Jordan Davis to a huge contract.”
In addition to earning a second-team All-Pro nomination in 2024, Carter has made the past two Pro Bowls. Last season, he posted 33 combined tackles, including five tackles for loss. Carter also had 12 quarterback hits, seven pass defenses and three sacks.
Why Myles Garrett-Jalen Carter Trade Could Make Sense
Jalen Carter
GettyFOX Sports’s Ralph Vacchiano floated the possibility of the Philadelphia Eagles offering Jalen Carter in a Myles Garrett trade.
On paper, a Garrett-Carter swap actually makes a lot of sense.
The Eagles might prefer not to sign Carter to a long-term deal because they just inked fellow defensive tackle Jordan Davis to a long-term extension. Philadelphia could trade Carter to avoid him leaving in free agency, but the Eagles aren’t going to do that unless they get something significant in return.
Garrett is signed through the 2030 season. General manager Howie Roseman would have to find a way to fit the two-time Defensive Player of the Year under the salary cap. But Garrett’s cap hit is at least manageable for a few years at under $30 million.
With Garrett, the Eagles would immediately fill the void left from departed free agent Jaelan Phillips.
For the Browns, they would be giving up a generational talent. But in return, they would receive pieces to jumpstart their rebuild.
Carter only turned 25 this month. The Browns could build around him going forward instead of Garrett, who will turn 31 before the end of the year.
Vacchiano proposed the cost for the Eagles to acquire Garrett at three draft picks — a 2026 first-rounder, 2026 third-rounder and 2027 first-rounder.
If the Eagles included Carter, then Philadelphia could at least keep one of its first-rounders. Maybe Philadelphia could also negotiate the Browns to include a late Day 3 pick since Carter’s value might be greater than a first-rounder.
Will Cleveland Browns Entertain Offers for Garrett?
Myles Garrett
GettyCleveland Browns star Myles Garrett won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023 and 2025.
As much as a Garrett-Carter trade makes sense, it’s hard to envision it happening because of the human elements to a Garrett deal.
Berry and the Browns seem to recognize that fact. While pundits continue to speculate fun, hypothetical deals involving Garrett, Berry is shutting them all down.
“Myles is a career Brown. He is one of the faces of our organization,” Berry told reporters on March 29, via Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. “I think we’ve been very clear both past and present in terms of our feelings.
“I understand all the questions. I’ll be honest, I don’t really want to waste a ton more breath on the topic.”
Garrett demanded a trade from the Browns last offseason. But the defensive end then signed a record-setting contract extension worth $160 million.
This offseason, Garrett and the Browns agreed to new language in his contract that delayed his bonus money. That started the trade speculation again in March.
Berry declined to comment on Garrett’s contract but told reporters the adjustments had nothing to do with a potential trade.