As I settled in at my desk yesterday, I intended to write an article about how the Browns were not going to trade all world defensive end Myles Garrett. It was June first and the media were writing articles about how it was now easier to trade Garrett. The redo of his contract made all this possible. My reasoning was the Browns didn’t draft a replacement, and they were already a veteran DE short in the position room. As I wrote in last week’s blog, they needed one more veteran to go with Garrett. Then to add to all this, I was told the reports that the Browns had talked to the Rams & Eagles were false. Then about 11:00am central, I got word the Browns had talked to the Rams and were still talking. Stop the presses. If this guy tells me something was up, then something was up.
I know a lot of Browns fans are upset, but let’s stick to facts. Prior to signing his new contract, Garrett wanted out of Cleveland. The Browns didn’t respond to the trade demands; they instead may him the highest paid DE in the league. Then the team redid his contract making a salary cap friendly trade possible, but only after June 1. I personally thought 2027 would be the time to trade Garrett. Give him one year under a new coaching staff and see what happens. The main reason this trade happened was the Browns wanted a strong, up and coming player in return. The Rams did not want to give up Jared Verse He’s a two-time pro bowler and the 2024 rookie defensive player of the year. He’s only been in the league for two years but is top five in pressures and number two in run stop win rate. He’s 25 years old and is still on his rookie contract. He’s from Dayton Ohio and coming out of college said he would love playing for the Browns.
Without Verse, this trade does not happen. He’s worth a first round pick because he was a first round pick. As a matter of fact, he was the Rams first round pick after not having a first round pick for nine years. The deal also includes the Rams first round pick in 2027, their second-round pick in 2028 and their third-round pick in 2029. The Browns now have eleven picks in 2027. Eleven. The there is no secret that Jimmy Halam loves Arch Manning. Besides Manning, the quarterback draft in 2027 is very special. If all the QB’s play up to their expectations, Cleveland will have the capital to find the right guy. If Sanders or Gabriel balls out and produces a winning season and a playoff berth, then the 2027 draft becomes gravy.
Now the speculation is Denzel Ward will be the next one out the door. Another team will have to offer a comparable player like Verse. Elite cover corners, like left tackles and quarterbacks, don’t grow on trees, so I doubt Ward will be dealt. The next big move by the Browns should be the signing of a good veteran defensive end like Joey Bosa, Cameron Jordan, Jihad Ward or Preston Smith. After that, the team needs to work on a contract extension for Grant Delpit.
The fans who hate GM Andrew Berry will hate this deal. They claim a football “nerd” can’t be a GM. I hate to tell you this, but that’s who runs teams in the league. Smart people. This was a haul for the Browns this year (Verse) and a haul for the future. The Rams get the best defensive player in the league because their playoff window is closing fast and they are in a win this year mode mostly because they have a 38-year-old QB without a competent back up. I hate losing Garrett, but this trade was necessary for the Browns future both for the roster and the salary cap. In business if both sides of a transaction feel they didn’t get a good deal, it’s always a good deal. Stay safe and Go Browns.