Sources: Browns to trade Myles Garrett to Rams for Jared Verse and future picks

The Cleveland Browns agreed on Monday to trade two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for edge rusher Jared Verse and multiple future draft picks, according to people familiar with the discussions. The package headed to Cleveland includes a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick, sources said. The agreement remains subject to standard league review, and neither team has formally announced the deal.

If finalized, the move would send one of the league’s elite defenders to a franchise leaning into a win-now window. For Los Angeles, adding Garrett aligns with an aggressive roster-building approach in a season scheduled to culminate with the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium. The Rams have a recent track record of converting premium picks into proven contributors and would keep a top-tier edge rusher under contract through the 2030 season, sources said.

Cleveland, meanwhile, secures a cost-controlled pass rusher in Verse along with significant draft capital that stretches across three future drafts. Team officials are expected to realize cash savings from the trade while maintaining flexibility to build around a younger core, according to people briefed on the matter. Verse is not eligible for a contract extension until after the current season, sources said.

Talks intensified after the Browns modified Garrett’s contract in March by pushing back option bonuses, a change that made a potential trade easier to execute, according to people familiar with the discussions. The Rams pursued Garrett persistently and ultimately agreed to include Verse — their 2024 first-round pick — after Cleveland made clear the former Florida State standout was a prerequisite for any agreement, sources said.

Rams add long-term defensive anchor

The Rams view an elite pass rusher as a force multiplier for a young defense, with Garrett’s presence expected to change protections and create one-on-one opportunities for emerging front-seven players. Coaches believe that impact can raise the unit’s ceiling while diversifying pressure packages, according to sources.

Los Angeles also benefits from the length and structure of Garrett’s contract, which adds cap-planning certainty across multiple seasons. That stability gives the front office options as other ascending defenders approach their own paydays and as the club positions for another deep postseason run.

Browns pivot to youth and layered draft capital

Cleveland’s return centers on Verse’s upside and staggered picks in 2027, 2028 and 2029. Verse helps offset the immediate loss on the edge while giving the Browns a younger, more affordable option who can grow into a larger role. The additional selections position Cleveland to maneuver in future drafts and sustain a retool without substantial near-term cash outlays.

The approach fits the Browns’ broader cap strategy following the spring adjustment to Garrett’s deal. By converting a star into a package headlined by a recent first-rounder and layered picks, Cleveland balances the roster and extends competitive flexibility across future seasons. Verse, who was born in Dayton, Ohio, adds a local note to the transition.

Trade pending league review and medicals

As with major NFL trades, league approval and formal team announcements typically follow agreement on terms. Attention now shifts to medicals, logistics and timing for any introductory availability should the trade be finalized. If completed, the focus will quickly move to how Garrett integrates into the Rams’ defense and how Cleveland deploys Verse while leveraging its expanded draft capital.

League review and medicals are expected to determine the timeline. Roster moves by both teams in the coming weeks will offer an early indication of how the Rams plan to feature Garrett and how the Browns allocate reps to Verse in his first season with the club.