Myles Garrett on the Move? Analyzing Potential Trade Destinations for the Browns’ Star Edge Rusher

The Cleveland Browns’ 2024 season was a disappointment, finishing with a 3-14 record, leaving fans and players alike questioning the team’s direction. Amidst the turmoil, star defensive end Myles Garrett, the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, publicly requested a trade, expressing his desire to compete for a Super Bowl. This sparked a flurry of speculation: Myles Garrett on the Move? Analyzing Potential Trade Destinations for the Browns’ Star Edge Rusher became a hot topic. While the Browns initially resisted, the possibility of trading their prized asset remained a talking point throughout the offseason. However, on March 9, 2025, Garrett signed a four-year, $204 million contract extension with the Browns, including $123.5 million in guaranteed money, ending the trade saga and making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. This blog post will analyze the factors that led to Garrett’s initial trade request, the teams that were potentially interested, and the implications of his decision to stay in Cleveland.

The Factors Behind Garrett’s Trade Request

Several factors contributed to Myles Garrett’s initial desire to leave Cleveland.

Lack of Team Success: Despite Garrett’s individual brilliance, the Browns have struggled to contend for a Super Bowl during his tenure. Garrett explicitly stated that his “ultimate goal” was to win a Super Bowl and that he didn’t want his career to be just a journey “from Cleveland to Canton” (the location of the Pro Football Hall of Fame).
Quarterback Instability: The Browns’ quarterback situation has been in constant flux. The acquisition of Deshaun Watson, with his fully guaranteed $230 million contract, was supposed to solve the problem, but Watson’s performance has been inconsistent, and he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023 and may miss the entire 2025 season after rupturing his right Achilles tendon for the second time in three months in January 2025.
Desire to Compete on the Biggest Stage: Garrett expressed a desire to compete on the “biggest stages,” implying that he felt the Browns were not providing him with that opportunity.

Potential Trade Destinations

Before Garrett signed his extension, several teams were rumored to be interested in acquiring his services.

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles, coming off a Super Bowl LIX victory, were looking to bolster their pass rush after Josh Sweat and Milton Williams entered free agency. General Manager Howie Roseman was reportedly looking to make a “big swing” for Garrett, even if it meant parting ways with some of their core defensive players. Garrett himself called the possibility of playing in Philadelphia a “hell of a destination.”
Washington Commanders: The Commanders, with a significant amount of cap space, were also considered a potential landing spot for Garrett. They needed a pass rusher after giving Jonathan Allen permission to seek a trade.
Other Teams in Need of an Edge Rusher: Several other teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, and Jacksonville Jaguars, were identified as having a significant need for an edge rusher.

The Browns’ Perspective

Despite Garrett’s trade request, the Browns maintained that they had no intention of trading him. General Manager Andrew Berry stated at the NFL scouting combine that they were “not trading him.” The Browns’ reluctance to trade Garrett stemmed from several factors:

Garrett’s Importance to the Team: Garrett is the Browns’ best player and one of the premier defensive players in the NFL. His ability to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks is crucial to the Browns’ defensive success. In 2024, Garrett had 83 pressures, 14.5 sacks, 28 quarterback hits, and a pressure rate of 18.4%. He has 102.5 career sacks, the third-most before age-30 in NFL history (behind Reggie White and Jared Allen).
Contractual Control: The Browns had Garrett under contract through 2026.
Message to the Fanbase: Trading Garrett would have sent a negative message to the Browns’ fanbase, signaling a potential rebuild.

The Contract Extension: A Win-Win?

Ultimately, Myles Garrett signed a four-year contract extension with the Cleveland Browns. This outcome appears to be a win-win for both sides.

Garrett’s Perspective: Garrett received a massive contract extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. The deal also includes a no-trade clause, giving him control over his future.
Browns’ Perspective: The Browns retained their best player and sent a message that they are committed to winning.

Implications of Garrett’s Decision

Myles Garrett’s decision to stay in Cleveland has several implications for the Browns and the NFL:

Browns’ Super Bowl Hopes: With Garrett locked up long-term, the Browns can focus on building a team around him that can compete for a Super Bowl.
Edge Rusher Market: Garrett’s contract extension has reset the market for edge rushers. Other top edge rushers, such as Micah Parsons and Nick Bosa, will likely seek similar deals.
Browns’ Salary Cap: The Browns will need to manage their salary cap carefully to accommodate Garrett’s massive contract. They have already restructured Deshaun Watson’s contract to create cap space.

Conclusion

The Myles Garrett trade saga captivated the NFL world for a brief period. Ultimately, Garrett’s decision to sign a contract extension with the Browns was the best outcome for both sides. The Browns retain their best player, and Garrett gets to stay in Cleveland with a lucrative contract and a no-trade clause. Whether this decision will ultimately lead to the Browns achieving their Super Bowl aspirations remains to be seen, but with Garrett leading the charge, the Browns have a chance to compete in the AFC for years to come.