The Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams may have just pulled off one of the most stunning trades in NFL history. Despite their vastly different team-building philosophies, the two franchises struck a deal that appears to benefit both sides.
While the Browns are in the midst of a full roster rebuild, the Rams are operating in pure “Super Bowl or bust” mode. That difference in direction is exactly what made this blockbuster deal possible.
Myles Garrett Trade is a ‘Win-Win’ for Both Teams
The sheer scale of the deal that saw a generational defensive talent swapped for a rookie and a mountain of draft capital immediately caught the attention of analysts and pundits alike.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett
Feb 12, 2026; Livigno, Italy; Cleveland Browns player Myles Garrett in attendance in the women’s halfpipe final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Yahoo Sports football writer and analyst Matt Harmon didn’t hold back in his assessment of the deal.
“Myles Garrett, I mean, I think it’s like one of the most insane trades in NFL history. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year traded, not to mention the compensation that Cleveland got back,” Harmon said.
Harmon also argued the trade works for both franchises. “Really is a win-win for everybody involved. If we’re gonna be honest, Cleveland does have more than enough young talent at this point, and actually getting a proven player in the mix here does move the needle for the Browns side of this.”
On the Rams’ side, Harmon acknowledged Los Angeles is all-in on the present. “From the Rams’ side of it, yeah, I mean they’re trying to live in two worlds where we’ve got an eye on the future with the quarterback they took this year, but also clearly, maybe more than any other team, Super Bowl or bust.”
Breaking Down the Trade: Why It Works for Both Teams
Myles Garrett is the Browns’ star defensive end and one of the most dominant edge rushers in football. Drafted first overall by Cleveland in 2017, he has gone on to become a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and a seven-time Pro Bowler, earning first-team All-Pro honors in five of his last six seasons.
Despite his elite status, Garrett no longer fits the Browns’ timeline. At 30 years old and carrying a hefty contract, keeping him would hamper Cleveland’s ability to build around younger, cheaper talent. The Browns are in full rebuilding mode, prioritizing players who can anchor the roster for the next decade.
For the Rams, the calculus is the opposite. Built around MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford and focused squarely on winning now, adding Myles Garrett gives Los Angeles one of the most terrifying defenses in the league.
In return for Garrett, the Browns receive rookie edge rusher Jared Verse along with first-, second-, and third-round draft picks from the 2027, 2028, and 2029 NFL Drafts, respectively. Cleveland gets a young, high-upside pass rusher to build around, plus significant draft capital to reshape the roster.
With the Rams chasing a championship and the Browns betting on youth and draft capital, this trade stands as a rare case where two teams with completely opposing visions each walked away with exactly what they needed.