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Myles Garrett Trade Gets Major Endorsement From Browns Legend Joe Thomas 1
The Myles Garrett trade still stings in the Cleveland Browns. That part has not changed, especially for the Browns fans who watched the superstar become the face of the franchise, however, Joe Thomas is looking beyond the initial shock. The Browns legend believes Cleveland made a calculated move that could pay off as the team enters another rebuild.
Thomas’ endorsement carries weight. He spent his entire Hall of Fame career in Cleveland and knows how quickly individual greatness can get lost when a team lacks the pieces to compete. For him, Garrett’s departure hurts, however, the return gives the Browns a real chance to reshape the roster.
Joe Thomas Backs Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett Decision
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Jun 2, 2026; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett (95) poses with general manager Les Snead (left) and coach Sean McVay at press conference at Rams Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
On August 8, Thomas explained why he believes the Browns ultimately made the right call by sending Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. The blockbuster deal gave the Browns pass rusher Jared Verse along with a first-, second- and third-round pick, giving the franchise young talent and additional draft capital during its rebuild.
That context is important. Garrett was not simply another player leaving Cleveland. He had become one of the few consistent reasons for Browns fans to believe, even when the team itself struggled. Thomas acknowledged the emotional side of the decision before turning toward the bigger picture.
“I think the trade is going to turn out to be one that the Browns look back on favorably. It’s painful when you lose the best defensive player in history, but I think when you look at the age that he’s at, where the Browns are specifically, this is a rebuild. You got a new quarterback. You got a new coach. You got a couple first-round draft choices next year to potentially find a quarterback if you don’t think one of these two guys can be the guy of the future. And you get Jared Verse, who has been wrecking training camp so far, who’s a young player. I think it was the right trade for the right time for the Browns.”
Joe Thomas believes the Browns will look back favorably on the blockbuster Myles Garrett trade, calling it the right move at the right time for Cleveland.
"I think the trade is going to turn out to be one that the Browns look back on favorably. It's painful when you lose the… pic.twitter.com/DMQ41LrJXy
— BrownsNation.com (@BrownsNationcom) August 7, 2026
Still, Thomas does not believe Cleveland can afford to measure success by simply keeping its biggest stars. The Browns need to build toward something bigger, and the Garrett package gives them more resources to do exactly that.
That is where Thomas’ argument becomes particularly interesting. The Browns already have a new signal-caller and a new coach, meaning the organization is clearly thinking beyond the immediate season. The extra draft capital could also become crucial if the Browns decide they still need to find their long-term answer at quarterback.
Verse adds another layer. Rather than completely stripping the defense of proven talent, Cleveland brought back a young pass rusher who can become part of the next core. His rookie contract also gives the Browns financial flexibility while they rebuild.
For Browns fans, none of that makes watching Garrett in a Rams uniform any easier. He was the franchise’s defensive centerpiece and one of the NFL’s most dominant players.