Will Myles Garrett Leave Cleveland? The Truth Behind the NFL’s Biggest Trade Rumors

Myles Garrett isn’t just a player; he is a force of nature. After a historic 2025 season where he shattered the NFL single-season sack record with 23 takedowns, the Cleveland Browns’ defensive end stands at the absolute peak of his powers. However, as he enters his 10th season, a troubling question lingers: Does the timeline of a generational talent match the timeline of a struggling franchise?

Despite his individual brilliance, Garrett has experienced the playoffs only twice in nine years. With the Browns struggling to resuscitate an offense that has faltered over the last two seasons, the tension between individual greatness and team success has reached a boiling point.

The ‘Escape Clause’: Decoding the Contract Modification

The most telling sign of a potential parting of ways isn’t a quote or a rumor, but the numbers. In March, the Browns and Garrett agreed to a contract modification that deferred $29 million in bonus payments over the next three years.

From a salary-cap perspective, this move didn’t create immediate space for the team. Instead, it effectively opened a “trade window.” By pushing guaranteed money further down the road, both parties created a financial mechanism that makes a trade more feasible under the NFL salary cap parameters.

If Cleveland decides to move Garrett after June 1, they could split the resulting dead money over two seasons, making the move manageable for the front office while allowing Garrett to chase the championship ring that has remained elusive in Ohio.

A Culture in Flux: Coaching Changes and QB Uncertainty

The instability in Cleveland isn’t just financial; it’s structural. The departure of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz—a key ally for Garrett—and the hiring of Todd Monken have added fuel to the speculation. Reports indicate a lack of direct communication between the new coaching staff and the star defender, creating a vacuum filled by trade rumors.

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• The Watson Dilemma: The Browns are still grappling with the fallout of the Deshaun Watson trade, which cost them multiple first-round picks.
• Youth Movement: With a heavy influx of rookies and a battle for the starting QB spot between Watson and Shedeur Sanders, the team is clearly in a transitional phase.
• The Trade Logic: If the Browns realize they are years away from true contention, trading Garrett for a haul of premium draft picks becomes a logical, albeit painful, strategy.

Market Value: The Next Khalil Mack?

Garrett’s value has never been higher. To put his dominance in perspective, his 51 sacks over the last three seasons lead the league, dwarfing other elite pass rushers like Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby.

The NFL has seen this movie before. In 2018, the Raiders traded a dominant Khalil Mack for a king’s ransom of picks. A similar scenario could unfold here. A team with immediate Super Bowl aspirations—such as the New York Jets, who currently possess multiple 2027 first-round picks—could be the perfect partner for a blockbuster deal.

Final Verdict: Stay or Go?

General Manager Andrew Berry has called Myles Garrett a “career Brown,” but in the modern NFL, no one is untouchable when the assets are right.

If Cleveland can build a competitive offense around a new quarterback, keeping Garrett is a no-brainer. But if the team remains in the basement of the AFC North, the “escape clause” in Garrett’s contract might be the only way for both the player and the franchise to find a win-win solution. For now, the NFL world waits to see if Garrett reaffirms his commitment or if he becomes the center of the league’s biggest trade of the decade.