Cleveland is sending star defensive end Myles Garrett to Los Angeles in a major NFL trade, according to three sources familiar with the deal who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday.
The sources requested anonymity since the transaction hasn’t been completed yet.
In return, Cleveland will receive pass rusher and linebacker Jared Verse — who earned 2024 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors — along with a first-round pick in 2027 and additional draft selections still being negotiated.
Garrett has been absent from the team’s offseason training activities. Head coach Todd Monken revealed two weeks ago that he hasn’t met with Garrett in person since taking the job in late January. Defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg mentioned last week that he’s only spoken with Garrett by telephone.
Last season, Garrett earned unanimous Defensive Player of the Year recognition after recording 23 sacks and setting a new NFL single-season mark. Despite his individual success, Garrett has grown increasingly dissatisfied with Cleveland’s trajectory in recent seasons. The team posted an 8-26 record over the last two campaigns following their 2023 playoff appearance.
Following the 2024 season’s conclusion, Garrett requested a trade, even though he had signed a four-year extension worth $204.8 million last March that established him as the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback.
Garrett’s dissatisfaction with the franchise’s direction continued to intensify. This March, both sides agreed to restructure his deal and postpone option payments scheduled for the 2026-28 seasons. An initial payment of approximately $10 million that was originally due May 28 was pushed back to around the start of the regular season.
