Myles Garrett set a new single-season NFL sack record last year and was named the Defensive Player of the Year, but the Cleveland Browns still only won 5 games. The franchise then restructured his contract during the offseason, which has again fueled rumors that he may be traded. While Cleveland denies having any intention of doing so, Tony Grossi apparently doesn’t believe the team.
Myles Garrett Trade Rumors Are Resurfacing After Browns Restructure Contract
Garrett is clearly one of the best overall defenders in the NFL and a generational talent as an edge rusher. His incredible 23 sacks last season demonstrate his absolutely elite value, but for a rebuilding team like the Browns, that value may be best served in the trade market.
While Cleveland has insisted that it plans on keeping him with the franchise, his recently restructured contract has created speculation that this may not be the case. Grossi outlined what the new deal could mean for his future and also called out the Browns for being misleading in these situations for other players in the past.
“It was necessary if they are considering trading him … They said they weren’t interested in trading Baker Mayfield. They said they weren’t interested in releasing Odell Beckham Jr. What they say isn’t important, it’s what they do,” explained Grossi.
“What they say isn’t important, it’s what they do,” – @TonyGrossi says the signs are pointing towards the Browns being open to trading Myles Garrett.
Do you agree? https://t.co/1XGswvQLuN pic.twitter.com/D83bwE0ol1
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) March 26, 2026
The Browns analyst used Mayfield and Beckham as examples of players Cleveland insisted it wanted to keep but got rid of anyway. He believes that Garrett could be next in line for this trend. Despite the Browns saying they have no intention of trading him, Grossi pointed out that their actions carry more weight than their words.
He also detailed that restructuring the contract wasn’t necessary for the team or Garrett, but it was if the Browns were looking to trade him.
They essentially adjusted the structure of his bonus payouts, creating additional cap flexibility for whichever team he potentially lands with. Grossi couldn’t seem to find any real reason why the restructure would benefit Cleveland’s current situation, though it doesn’t hurt it, either.
Garrett has finished among the top five edge rushers in PFSN’s NFL Edge Impact Metrics for each of the past five seasons and has been selected as an All-Pro in each of them. He is still just 30 years old and in the prime of his career after setting the single-season sack record last year. If the Browns make him available, many teams will likely be interested in trading for him.
