The NFL’s most shocking trade of the 2026 offseason saw Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, move from the Cleveland Browns to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster deal finalized after two months of negotiations. The trade, confirmed by multiple sources including Pro Football Rumors and NFL.com, sent edge rusher Jared Verse and a package of draft picks to Cleveland in exchange for Garrett, who immediately became the focal point of the Rams’ defense.
How the Trade Unfolded: A Months-Long Negotiation
The deal between the Rams and Browns was the result of a protracted negotiation that began as early as March 2026, when Rams general manager Les Snead first reached out to Cleveland’s Andrew Berry. According to Pro Football Rumors, the Rams initially offered a package of draft picks but faced resistance until they included Verse, a 2024 first-round pick, in the deal. The Browns, wary of losing Garrett without a player in return, sought advice from executives in other sports leagues, including Chaim Bloom of the Boston Red Sox and Sam Presti of the Oklahoma City Thunder, as noted by Pro Football Rumors. Garrett himself had to approve the trade, as his contract included a no-trade clause, and he reportedly “slept on” the decision before giving his consent.
The trade also quelled rumors that the Eagles had shown interest in Garrett, with Pro Football Rumors citing Cleveland.com’s report that Philadelphia “never made a play” for the star. Meanwhile, Verse, who had two Pro Bowl seasons with the Rams, expressed mixed feelings about the trade, though he was reportedly “happy to be on a new team” according to Pro Football Rumors.
For more on this story, see Myles Garrett Traded to Rams in Five-Year, $179 Million Blockbuster Deal.
Garrett’s Impact on the Rams’ Defense
Garrett’s arrival in Los Angeles immediately elevated the Rams’ pass rush, which had ranked tied for third in the NFL with 11.0 third-down sacks in 2025. NFL.com highlighted that Garrett’s 23 sacks, 401 quarterback pressures, and 83 sacks over the past five seasons made him the most dominant edge rusher in the league. His ability to generate quick pressures—31 within 2.5 seconds of the snap—was particularly notable, as the Rams’ edge rushers had averaged a slower 0.96-second get-off in 2025. NFL.com also pointed out that Garrett’s run-stuffing ability, with 28 run stops from edge alignment in 2025, would complement the Rams’ defensive line, which already featured Leonard Floyd and the emerging Jared Verse.
“Garrett is the solution to that problem since his 11.0 sacks on third down led the league in that metric a season ago,” CBS Sports wrote, emphasizing the Rams’ need for a pass rush closer. The addition of Garrett, who set the single-season sack record in 2025, has already sparked speculation that the Rams could be the favorites to win the Super Bowl in 2026.
Team Implications: The Browns’ Rebuilding and the Rams’ All-In Strategy
The trade marked a stark contrast between the Browns’ and Rams’ approaches to the 2026 season. While the Rams, led by head coach Sean McVay, have embraced an “all-in” strategy, the Browns appear to be pivoting toward a long-term rebuild. FOX Sports placed the Browns in the “Tier 8” group of teams with the worst Super Bowl odds, alongside the Raiders and Jets, suggesting that Cleveland’s focus is now on accumulating draft capital for the future. The Browns received a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick in the trade, along with Verse, who is set to be a key part of their defense for the next three seasons.
This follows our earlier report, Myles Garrett Traded to Los Angeles Rams in Blockbuster NFL Deal.
For the Rams, the trade signaled a continuation of their aggressive approach to building a championship-caliber roster. CBS Sports highlighted that the Rams had already made significant moves in the offseason, including the acquisition of A.J. Brown by the Eagles, and that Garrett’s addition would further solidify their defense. “Putting Garrett on that defensive line, along with the secondary improvements, will only make this team that much scarier,” wrote CBS Sports‘ Jared Dubin, who called the trade “the favorite of the offseason.”
Reactions and the Road Ahead
The trade has sparked widespread debate among analysts and fans, with many questioning whether the Rams’ move was a calculated risk or a desperate attempt to secure a Super Bowl run. <a href="https://www.cbssports.
