Trent Williams on the Rams’ addition of Myles Garrett: It sucks

The Rams acquired Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns this Monday, triggering a massive roster overhaul and a new five-year contract for the star pass rusher. While the franchise secures a cornerstone piece through 2030, division rivals are already recalibrating their strategies to account for the league’s most potent defensive threat.

A Blockbuster Trade and the Financial Stakes

The transaction, which finalized a deal bringing Garrett to Los Angeles, carried a heavy price tag for the Rams. To secure the veteran, the organization parted with Jared Verse, along with a first-, second-, and third-round draft pick. Following the trade, the team moved quickly to restructure Garrett’s compensation, signing him to a five-year deal that spans 2026 through 2030, with additional options extending to 2038 for salary cap management purposes, as reported by NBC Sports.

The financial details reflect the current market for elite defensive talent. Garrett’s new deal includes a $35.7 million signing bonus and a minimum base salary of $1.3 million, pushing his 2026 compensation to at least $37 million. This total represents an increase of at least $5.5 million over the $31.5 million he was previously slated to earn. With the non-quarterback market now reaching the $50 million per year threshold, this contract signals the Rams’ long-term commitment to a player who set the NFL single-season record with 23 sacks last year.

Division Rivals Assess the Impact

The addition of Garrett immediately shifts the competitive balance within the NFC West. For the 49ers, Seahawks, and Cardinals, the defensive end’s arrival creates an urgent need to adjust offensive protection schemes. San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams, speaking to team media, offered a blunt assessment of the news: “It sucks,” according to NBC Sports.

Williams’ reaction underscores the respect Garrett commands across the league. In previous matchups, Garrett has proven to be a disruptive force; during the 2025 season, he recorded a sack and three quarterback hits against the 49ers in a 26-8 result. His career total of 125.5 sacks establishes him as a primary focus for any opposing game plan, a reality that NFC West teams are now forced to confront for the foreseeable future.

Browns Pivot Following Garrett’s Departure

While the Rams integrate their new star, the Cleveland Browns are navigating a transition of their own. The team, currently viewed by FOX Sports as facing a challenging road in the 2027 draft cycle, is looking for internal growth to maintain defensive standards. Defensive end Alex Wright, who recorded 5.5 sacks and 22 total pressures in 2025, has emerged as a leader in the locker room.

Wright emphasized his intent to take on a more vocal role during team workouts and OTAs. “So, just me carrying on that role with me going into my second contract and knowing what the scheme looks like, they put a lot on me just walking back into team workouts and OTAs,” Wright stated, as noted by the Cleveland Browns. He added:

“’I want you to be more vocal. I want you to be a leader.’ So, like if you would have told me that in college, I would have been like, ‘You got the wrong guy I’m not talking.’ But the more I talk, I feel like my play backs it up and my teammates respect that. So, I’m not there to just lollygag and just settle. I’m still going to push everybody.”

With the departure of Garrett, the Browns are leaning on players like Wright and newcomer Jared Verse to anchor their defensive front. Wright noted that he has already begun collaborating with Verse, sharing insights on the team’s attacking style and defensive expectations. As the Browns look toward the future, the focus remains on sustaining the standard of production that characterized their defensive line throughout the 2025 season.

Strategic Outlook and League Context

The acquisition of Garrett by the Rams represents one of the most significant personnel shifts in recent league history, directly impacting the defensive hierarchy of the NFC. By parting with Jared Verse—a high-pedigree draft selection—the Browns have signaled a strategic pivot toward younger, cost-controlled assets, while the Rams have signaled a “win-now” mandate that prioritizes proven veteran production over long-term draft capital.

For the Rams, the move is designed to maximize the current championship window. The inclusion of salary cap management options extending to 2038 ensures that the financial impact of Garrett’s signing bonus and base salary structure remains flexible enough to accommodate further roster moves. This approach is consistent with teams looking to stabilize their defensive front against high-powered offenses within the division, specifically those featuring mobile quarterbacks and sophisticated screen games that often challenge traditional pass rushers.

The Browns, conversely, are entering a phase of evaluation. With the loss of a 23-sack producer, the organization is pivoting to a committee approach on the edge. Alex Wright’s development is central to this transition. By assuming a leadership role, Wright is tasked with bridging the gap between the veteran defensive culture established under Garrett and the new defensive identity the Browns hope to cultivate with the addition of Jared Verse. The collaboration between the two, as noted by the organization, suggests an attempt to maintain continuity in the pass-rush rotation despite the significant change in personnel at the top of the depth chart.

As the league moves through the offseason, the effectiveness of these respective strategies will be tested against the backdrop of the 2026 schedule. The Rams’ ability to integrate Garrett into their defensive scheme will be the primary variable for their divisional success, while the Browns’ ability to replace elite-level production through collective effort will define their trajectory in the post-Garrett era.