Rams acquire Myles Garrett from Browns in June 1 trade

The Los Angeles Rams acquired defensive end Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns on June 1 in a major trade geared toward a Super Bowl LXI push at SoFi Stadium. Cleveland received defensive end Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick. The timing allowed the Browns to optimize the cap implications tied to Garrett’s contract restructure completed in March.

Garrett, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, recorded 23 sacks last season and remains one of the league’s most disruptive pass rushers. His arrival immediately upgrades Los Angeles’ front and raises expectations for a roster that already contended deep into last season.

Terms of the deal and timing

The trade was executed after the June 1 accounting threshold, enabling Cleveland to spread a $41.09 million dead-cap charge across two seasons rather than absorbing it entirely in 2026. That cap positioning was made possible by Garrett’s March adjustment that pushed option-bonus payments into late summer. The package from Los Angeles reflects the market for an elite defender in his prime while giving the Browns long-term assets.

Cleveland’s return includes Verse, the No. 19 pick in the 2024 draft and the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year that season, plus three premium selections spaced from 2027 to 2029. Verse has produced 12 sacks and 143 quarterback pressures over two seasons and carries a 2026 cap hit of $4.1 million on his rookie deal, offering both upside and flexibility compared with Garrett’s $40 million average annual salary.

Roster impact for Los Angeles

The move continues an aggressive stretch for the Rams. Earlier in the offseason they traded for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and signed him to an extension that made him the league’s highest-paid corner. They also used another 2026 first-rounder to draft Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and finalized an extension for reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, adding $55 million in new money.

Adding Garrett gives Los Angeles a premier edge presence to pair with its current core, reinforcing a team that finished as the NFC runner-up. With the franchise set to host Super Bowl LXI in February, the Rams have reinforced both sides of the ball for another title run after winning Super Bowl LVI following the 2021 season.

Cleveland’s return and cap picture

For the Browns, moving a franchise cornerstone brings a substantial haul and immediate cap relief. Verse’s production on a rookie contract, combined with the added draft capital, provides flexibility to retool the roster and optionality in addressing premium positions in coming drafts. The cap management benefit from the post–June 1 timing aids Cleveland’s short- and medium-term planning.

While losing an all-time great in Garrett is a clear short-term blow, the Browns’ return reflects a strategic pivot built on cost-controlled talent and future picks. How quickly that value converts on the field will shape Cleveland’s competitiveness over the next several seasons.

Attention now turns to how the Rams integrate Garrett into their defense and how the Browns deploy Verse and their future draft assets as offseason planning continues.