Myles Garrett Trade

A Two-Month Negotiation Process

The trade between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cleveland Browns was not a sudden development but the result of a deliberate, two-month effort. According to Pro Football Rumors, negotiations between Rams general manager Les Snead and Browns general manager Andrew Berry spanned exactly two months and four days. The Rams’ interest in Garrett was long-standing. Los Angeles previously targeted the defensive end during the 2022 trade deadline, offering two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder, though the Browns declined to move him at that time. When negotiations resumed in late March, Cleveland made it clear that draft capital alone would be insufficient. The Browns insisted on the inclusion of Rams defensive end Jared Verse, a player the organization valued highly following his two Pro Bowl campaigns and Defensive Rookie of the Year honors since being drafted 19th overall in 2024. To navigate the complexities of the deal, Berry consulted with personnel executives from other professional sports, including St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti, and Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas. Their input reinforced the Browns’ decision to prioritize a proven player over draft assets.

Garrett’s Waiver and Team Dynamics

Because Garrett’s contract included a no-trade clause, his personal sign-off was a legal necessity for the transaction to proceed. Before the final agreement was reached, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and his family hosted Berry and Garrett for a meeting to discuss the move. As reported by Pro Football Rumors, citing ESPN, the decision was one Garrett needed to “sleep on” before ultimately waiving the clause. Amid the transition, speculation surfaced regarding potential interest from the Philadelphia Eagles and the involvement of defensive tackle Jalen Carter. However, reporting from Cleveland.com clarified that the Eagles “never made a play” for Garrett and that “there’s zero chance they would’ve wanted (Carter) in return.”

Statistical Impact on the Rams’ Defense

The addition of Garrett significantly alters the defensive profile of the Rams. According to NFL.com, Garrett recorded an NFL-record 23 sacks last season, earning his second Defensive Player of the Year award. His efficiency metrics are equally striking:

• Get-off speed: An average of 0.7 seconds, the fastest in the league among players with 200+ pass rushes.
• Quick pressures: 31 pressures generated within 2.5 seconds of the snap.
• Run defense: 17 run stuffs from edge alignment, the second-most in the NFL.

The Rams’ pass rush struggled with speed last season, recording an average get-off of 0.96 seconds, which ranked as the second-slowest in the NFL. Garrett’s arrival is intended to rectify this deficiency. As noted by NFL.com, his presence provides a versatile complement to the existing roster: “Oh, and just when you thought Garrett’s game couldn’t get any more impactful, he also recorded 17 run stuffs from edge alignment — run tackles that resulted in a loss of yards or no gain — last season, the second-most in the NFL behind only Maxx Crosby. And Garrett’s 28 run stops from edge alignment — run tackles that resulted in a ‘success’ for the defense, per NGS — were fourth-most, behind Crosby, T.J. Watt and Young.”NFL.com

Off-Field Rumors and Clarification

The trade also drew attention due to social media speculation regarding the involvement of Garrett’s girlfriend, Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim. Some users suggested Kim played a role in orchestrating the move to the West Coast. Kim addressed these rumors directly via a TikTok video, emphasizing that she had no influence over the professional transaction. As shared by Bleacher Report, she clarified the timeline of her knowledge: “I’ve been giggling at these rumors the last couple of days because you guys are giving me TOO MUCH CREDIT😭. I found out right before it was publicized and was planning to show up and support him wherever he ended up. But I genuinely can’t believe this is happening and am so excited to show him around my city. Go Rams! 💙”Chloe Kim, via Bleacher Report With the trade finalized, Garrett now prepares to join a Rams squad with clear Super Bowl aspirations for the upcoming season, while the Browns begin their new chapter incorporating Verse into their defensive front.