How Rams Landed Myles Garrett After Browns Reportedly Were 'Adamant' They Wouldn't Deal DE

The Los Angeles Rams landed the biggest prize of the offseason by acquiring star edge rusher Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick and further draft compensation, and they reportedly had been working on the deal for quite some time.

Sources told ESPN's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Adam Schefter that the Browns "were adamant that they had no interest in trading Garrett, and even told that to the Rams." However, Los Angeles' "persistent pursuit" of the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year got the deal done, as it reportedly was the only team that attempted to acquire him from Cleveland.

"Talks heated up in earnest shortly after this year's NFL draft. The Rams initially offered a package of picks in return for Garrett, but Cleveland held firm to its public stance of not dealing its defensive standout, according to sources," Rapoport, Pelissero and Schefter stated. "The Browns told the Rams that no deal would get done without including the 25-year-old Verse, the Rams' 2024 first-round pick who has had 12 sacks and 22 tackles for loss the past two seasons. The Rams initially were not interested in moving Verse but eventually began to consider a package with him as long as the draft picks were adjusted appropriately, sources said."

Schefter reported that the Rams finalized the deal by sending Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick to the Browns to acquire Garrett. Both sides reportedly felt the deal made sense for multiple reasons.

"The Browns are moving on only because the Rams are going to meet all the criteria they were seeking," Rapoport, Pelissero and Schefter explained. "The Rams were willing to do so for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is the Super Bowl is back at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium on Valentine's Day 2027, and Los Angeles now has added the crown jewel of its offseason to go along with trading for former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie, and signing his former Kansas City teammate Jaylen Watson."

While the Browns are parting ways with one of their greatest players in franchise history, they reportedly are content with getting younger and building for the future.

"The Browns are expected to get what they believe is long-term value, significant draft pick compensation to go along with Verse -- a younger, cheaper player who is not eligible for a contract extension until after this season," Rapoport, Pelissero and Schefter stated. "The Browns privately have calculated that this trade is likely to save them $30 million in cash, though they are fully prepared to pay Verse when the time is right."

The Rams instantly vaulted into the title conversation after Monday's deal, and Garrett will have his first real chance to compete for a spot in the Super Bowl in 2026.