Grading Blockbuster Myles Garrett, Jared Verse NFL Trade Between Rams, Browns

Myles Garrett finally got his wish...16 months after originally demanding to be traded.

The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year will join the Los Angeles Rams, with a legitimate chance to compete for a Super Bowl. Conversely, the Cleveland Browns realized their timeline didn't mesh with the team's best player and pulled the trigger on a trade.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Rams traded two-time Pro Bowl edge-rusher Jared Verse, as well as their 2027 first-round, '28 second-round and '29 third-round draft picks, to obtain Garrett's services.

"The Browns were adamant that they had no interest in trading Garrett," the trio reported, "and even told that to the Rams, according to sources.

"But the Rams refused to give up what one source called their 'persistent pursuit' of Garrett. Los Angeles, according to sources, continued calling and calling—the only team that tried to pry loose a player the Browns once deemed untouchable."

The Rams' clock to win another Super Bowl is now ticking, while the Browns once again reset expectations. Though the move should be viewed as a win-win for both franchises based on where they currently reside.

For Los Angeles, it's a short-term victory by placing all of their chips on the table. For Cleveland, it's a long-term play to build the best possible roster once they acquire a legitimate starting quarterback.

Myles Garrett

AP Photo/Jeff Dean

Grade: A

Eight seasons after the Cleveland Browns made him the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, Garrett became disenfranchised with the organization and demanded a trade in February of 2025. At the time, Garrett stated, via social media, "The goal was never go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl."

At the time, the Browns did not want to move on from Garrett and made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history (he's now sixth), which forced the future Hall of Fame defensive end to change his tune.

Garrett gave the organization one more chance to show it was heading in the right direction. He gave everything he had in 2025 and set a single-season NFL record with 23 sacks. The Browns never sniffed playoff contention.

As a result, the five-time first-team All-Pro didn't attend voluntary workouts this offseason and never even communicated with Cleveland's new coaching staff.

Garrett now joins a Rams squad with the reigning MVP at quarterback and the league's top-scoring offense. Los Angeles made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game last season. Sean McVay's squad is a Super Bowl contender, no questions asked.

Furthermore, the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year enters a lineup where he'll receive plenty of help thanks to a talented rotation that features Pro Bowl edge-rusher Byron Young, as well as Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner working along the interior.

Losing wears on elite players. The Browns owned a 58-90-1 record, with two postseason appearances, during Garrett's time with the team. This move may have come a year later than expected, but the outcome is exactly what Garrett preferred.

Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (left) and head coach Sean McVay (right)

Grade: A+

The Rams had the most to gain by trading for Garrett because they have the smallest window to capitalize on his addition, hence their "persistent pursuit" until a deal was finally struck.

Matthew Stafford's age and looming retirement are baked into every decision Los Angeles makes. The Rams' quarterback may be the NFL's reigning MVP, while coming off arguably his finest season. Even so, he already turned 38, dealt with numerous injuries and considered the possibility of hanging up his cleats during each of the last two offseasons.

The Rams are the definition of a win-now team, and they have the roster in place to do so. Garrett's addition can push this group over the edge.

Also, Ty Simpson's selection with this year's 13th overall pick didn't fool anyone. Les Snead remains the same general manager who will forsake future first-round picks at a drop of a hat to make his team better now. He dealt the this year's original first-round selection to obtain cornerback Trent McDuffie. Next year's is now gone thanks to Garrett's acquisition.

From a compensation standpoint, the Rams surrendered quite a bit. Verse, in particular, is a quality young player. Though Garrett is an obvious upgrade. Technically, Verse can be viewed as a second first-round pick added to the mix, but the Rams didn't actually have to surrender multiple future opening-round selections—which should be viewed as a minor victory unto itself.

The offseason additions of Garrett, McDuffie and fellow corner Jaylen Watson should elevate the Rams' defense into elite status after finishing 17th in total defense last season, giving the league's leading scoring offense a complementary unit to seek and destroy opponents.

Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Jeff Dean

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders

Grade: B+

The idea of trading away a team's top performer and arguably the NFL's best player regardless of position is a tough pill to swallow. Garrett cannot be replaced in the Browns' lineup. However, this particular trade provides a bigger picture understanding of where Cleveland stands as an organization and where it needs to go.

As always, it starts at quarterback.

Garrett's historic season helped Cleveland win all of five games and didn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, because the NFL is a quarterback-driven league. If you don't have a franchise QB—which the Browns don't—the greatness of a player at any other position can't fill that void.

This season in Cleveland is all about assessing Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. If neither works out, the Browns will be restarting at the game's most important position once again. Whereas Garrett turns 32 during the 2027 campaign.

The Browns maximized trade value now instead of waiting, possibly seeing a decline in Garrett's play over the next couple of years and hoping a young quarterback finally hits early in his career.

As difficult as this situation is, the Browns have done what's necessary to build toward future seasons.

Last year's draft class proved to be outstanding with the additions of defensive tackle Mason Graham, linebacker and reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger, running back Quinshon Judkins and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. General manager Andrew Berry added another strong class this past April by selecting top offensive tackle Spencer Fano, wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston and safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.

A strong foundation is being built, albeit with a newer, younger cornerstone in Jared Verse, who is 25 and a former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

More importantly, the Browns have yet more ammunition in next year's draft to secure a top quarterback prospect. With the Rams' 2027 pick added to the mix, Cleveland now has a pair of first-round selections to possibly maneuver and obtain its preferred choice.

In Cleveland, the quarterback puzzle has yet to be solved a staggering 27 years after the franchise NFL return. The ongoing problem cost the team its best player. Hopefully, the return from the Garrett trade helps to properly address the issue and finally allows the Browns to create something of substance.

Jared Verse

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Grade: C

Aside from Browns' fans invested in Garrett's career, the biggest disappointment has to fall on Verse's shoulders. He just went from a legitimate Super Bowl contender to a team that won just one playoff game this century.

Cleveland can build around Verse, as the Rams were previously doing. According to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi, Verse's 99 quarterback pressures over the last two seasons are the third-most by any defender (behind Micah Parsons and...wait for it...Garrett). He may not be as explosive or dynamic as the man he's set to replace, but the third-year defensive end can get the job done.

Although, Verse won't have quite as much help as he did in Los Angeles, where surrounding cast of Young, Fiske and Turner form an excellent trio.

In Cleveland, Verse will be even more of the focal point. Mason Graham, whom the Browns chose with last year's fifth overall draft pick, should improve during his sophomore campaign, and the duo of Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire are fine, young players in their own right. Again, each must continue in their development to eventually become a top defensive front without Garrett demanding so much of the attention.

A silver lining exists for Verse considering the Browns just unloaded Garrett's mega-contract, which gives Cleveland plenty of financial flexibility. Knowing how much Verse's addition meant to getting this deal done, everyone should expect a significant contract extension to be signed after the upcoming season when the window opens for the 2024 draft pick to do so.