Myles Garrett’s Browns expansion includes $ 100 million guaranteed, most for defensive player

Myles Garrett’s contract extension with the Cleveland Browns contains $ 100 million in full guarantees, the most ever paid to a defensive player, according to league sources, with $ 50 million guaranteed at signing.

The Browns star pass-rusher signed the record five-year extension on Wednesday. The team did not disclose the financial terms, but sources told ESPN that the deal was worth $ 125 million, with the average salary of $ 25 million also being a record for a defensive player.

Khalil Mack of the Chicago Bears was previously the highest-paid defensive player in the league in terms of average salary ($ 23 million) and guaranteed money ($ 90 million).

The expansion will keep No. 1 overall pick under contract in Cleveland during the 2026 season. Garrett, 24, has entered the off-season with two years left on his rookie contract after the Browns chose his fifth option year.

“In 2017, the Cleveland Browns bet on me,” said Garrett in a team statement. “This city quickly became my home and these people quickly became my family. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity, the support of my friends and family, the organization, my teammates, the fans – I could continue indefinitely, but even that would not be enough time to express my gratitude. I’m just going to say this: Keep betting on me, Cleveland, because I won’t let you down. Now let’s get to work. “

Garrett has been one of the most dominant pass-rushers in the NFL since entering the league, ranking fourth in the league in sacks per game (0.82) over three seasons.

He was suspended from the last six games of last season for hitting Pittsburgh’s Mason Rudolph with his own quarterback helmet in a skirmish at the end of their game on November 14. Before that, he had 10 sacks in 10 games. The NFL returned to Garrett in February.

The last time the Browns signed a first-round pick for overtime, cornerback Joe Haden, who was drafted in 2010.