The Cleveland Browns traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, receiving Jared Verse and three draft picks in return—one of which is a first-round pick. It’s a trade in which Cleveland got thoroughly ripped off. A commentary.

It was already the deal of this offseason.

Myles Garrett signs with the Los Angeles Rams. With this, the Browns lose one of the best edge rushers of all time and the last superstar in an otherwise extremely mixed roster.

The Los Angeles Rams, on the other hand, are going all-in and reinforcing their ambition to win Super Bowl 2027 at their own SoFi Stadium.

That’s precisely why what Cleveland received in exchange for Garrett seems ridiculously meager.

Despite Garrett’s outstanding performances: Browns lack consistent success

First, one must consider the qualities this edge rusher brings to the table. With 23 sacks last season, Garrett broke the NFL record for most sacks in a single season and was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second time.

He currently ranks 20th on the list of all-time sack leaders—only two active players, Cameron Jordan and Von Miller, are ahead of him. The 30-year-old is in a league of his own—replacing him is impossible.

However, there are certainly reasons for the Browns to let the edge rusher go via trade.

Sure: Garrett is an absolutely exceptional player and the main reason the Browns win any games at all—yet his team’s performance hasn’t improved significantly since his arrival. Since the edge rusher was drafted as the first overall pick in 2017, Cleveland has made the playoffs only twice and last won a playoff game in 2020.

It will be several more years before the team has a serious shot at a playoff run, let alone the Super Bowl. Until then, the franchise is essentially paying Garrett to pad the stats. Given his performance, the 30-year-old could hardly be satisfied with this situation.

Cleveland Browns get a laughably small return for Myles Garrett

So it was only logical that he requested a trade last offseason. Ultimately, however, the Browns decided that Garrett was too valuable and blocked every trade offer. As a result, the edge rusher ended up signing a new contract after all.

Less than a year later, the 30-year-old is now gone after all—and for a return that is pitifully small.

The Browns are receiving a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick from the Rams. Additionally, defensive end Jared Verse will play in Ohio going forward.

Considering that the Rams were desperate to sign a top player during the offseason to make a run at the Super Bowl following their narrow loss in the Championship Game, the team’s management should have gotten significantly more out of the trade.

Especially when comparing the deal to similar trades in recent times: The best example was the trade of cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts last season. Indianapolis was 7-2 at the time and sensed an opportunity. In return, the New York Jets received two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, whom the franchise had drafted in the second round in 2024.

It’s particularly bitter when you consider that the Browns learned firsthand four years ago just how costly a trade for a top player can be: In 2022, the franchise secured the services of Deshaun Watson.

In exchange for the quarterback and a sixth-round pick, the Houston Texans received three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks—even though the then-27-year-old had not played for a full year at that point.

NFL: What’s left for the Browns after the trade?

And what’s left for the Browns? A second-round pick in 2028, a third-round pick in 2029, and a first-round pick in the upcoming draft—though it’s important to note that Cleveland will draft in the spot where the Rams were originally scheduled to pick.

Unless a minor miracle happens in the coming seasons, these are likely to be among the latest picks in their respective rounds—if not the very last. This will make it difficult for the Browns to land the absolute top talent, especially in the later rounds.

With a first-round pick, Cleveland ultimately has a good chance at a long-term star—but if this pick doesn’t pan out, the franchise will have essentially traded Myles Garrett for Jared Verse.

While he is a promising edge rusher prospect, he will likely only be able to dream of ever matching the quality of his predecessor.

It’s a deal that could have allowed the Browns to make a massive investment in their future, but in the end, they let themselves get completely taken advantage of.