It feels like every other week, the NFL news cycle decides to spin the wheel of chaos, and lately, it’s been landing on one name: Myles Garrett. If you’ve been scrolling through social media or listening to sports radio in Northeast Ohio, you’ve probably heard the whispers. Or maybe they aren't whispers anymore. People are flat-out screaming about a potential browns trade myles garrett scenario that would have seemed impossible just twenty-four months ago.
But honestly? The reality is way more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no" transaction.
We’re talking about a guy who just wrapped up a 2025 season where he didn't just play well; he broke the freaking NFL single-season sack record. 23 sacks. Read that again. He surpassed the marks set by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. And yet, here we are, in January 2026, talking about whether the Cleveland Browns are actually going to ship their greatest defensive player in franchise history out of town.
The Trade Request That Started the Fire
To understand the current browns trade myles garrett rumors, you have to look back at the mess that was February 2025. People tend to forget how close we came to a total breakup. Garrett didn't just drop a hint; he officially requested a trade. He was blunt about it, too. He told the world that the goal was never just to go "from Cleveland to Canton" but to actually win a Super Bowl.
He didn't think he could do it here.
The Browns managed to smooth things over, mostly by opening the checkbook. They gave him a four-year, $160 million extension with a massive chunk of guaranteed cash. It was supposed to be the "happily ever after" moment. But then the 2025 season happened. The defense was elite, ranked second in the league, but the offense was a train wreck. Cleveland finished 5-12. Kevin Stefanski got fired.
Now, Garrett is 30 years old. He’s looking at a coaching search, a disastrous quarterback situation involving the ghost of Deshaun Watson's contract, and a roster that feels years away from a ring.
Why the Philadelphia Eagles Are Always in the Mix
If a browns trade myles garrett actually goes down, you can bet your last dollar Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles will be the first ones on the phone. They’ve been "super hot" after him for over a year now. Analysts like Alex Kay from Bleacher Report have already floated packages that involve three first-round picks.
Is that enough? For a generational talent who just set the sack record?
Probably not. But the Eagles have the draft capital and the desperation. They want to "rescue" Garrett. It sounds noble, but it's basically predatory roster building. Other teams like the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders are also hovering. Imagine Aidan Hutchinson and Myles Garrett on the same line. It’s the stuff of offensive coordinators' nightmares.
The Financial Handcuffs
Here is the part that most people get wrong about the browns trade myles garrett chatter. It isn't just about whether Andrew Berry wants to trade him. It’s about whether he can without sinking the entire franchise’s salary cap into the Atlantic Ocean.
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Garrett’s new deal is heavy. It includes a no-trade clause. Plus, the Browns are still reeling from the Watson trade—widely considered the worst in NFL history. Trading Garrett would mean taking a massive dead cap hit while also losing the only player who makes the team watchable.
- The Browns would need at least three first-rounders.
- They’d have to find a way to eat the immediate cap acceleration.
- Garrett has to waive his no-trade clause for a specific contender.
It's a lot of "ifs."
What Myles Is Saying Now
Publicly, Garrett is playing both sides. Just a couple of weeks ago, he was talking about being "all on board" as long as the front office isn't tanking. He hates the word "rebuild." He’s a veteran now. He has ownership stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers. He loves the city, but he clearly hates losing more than he loves the 216 area code.
"If it's the same thing upstairs, then I'm all on board. Tanking or rebuilding, that's not me," Garrett told reporters recently. That sounds like a guy with one foot out the door if the new coaching hire doesn't move the needle.
The "Canton vs. Cleveland" Debate
There is a segment of the fan base that thinks the Browns should just blow it all up. They see a 5-12 record and think, why waste Garrett’s prime? If you can get three first-round picks for a 30-year-old defensive end, even one as good as Myles, you have to consider it, right?
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Maybe. But you don't trade a Hall of Famer in his prime and get better. You just don't.
The Browns are in a "no-win" situation. If they keep him, they risk him becoming disgruntled and the rumors persisting every single offseason. If they trade him, they lose the heartbeat of the team. Garrett is the only reason Cleveland stayed in games last year. He had 33 tackles for loss. He was a unanimous First-Team All-Pro. You don't replace that with draft picks that might end up being busts.
Potential Landing Spots for a Trade
- Philadelphia Eagles: They’ve been the most aggressive pursuers.
- Detroit Lions: A "win-now" move to pair him with Hutchinson.
- Washington Commanders: Dan Quinn would turn Garrett into a 25-sack monster.
- Arizona Cardinals: They have the picks, but are they enough of a contender for Myles?
Navigating the 2026 Offseason
As we move toward the 2026 NFL Draft, the browns trade myles garrett talk is only going to get louder. The Browns have the No. 5 overall pick. They might be looking at a quarterback like Shedeur Sanders or someone else to finally move on from the Watson era.
If they draft a QB, does that convince Garrett to stay? Or does it signal another "young team" transition that he doesn't want to be a part of?
Honestly, the next few months will define the next decade of Browns football. If Andrew Berry decides to move Garrett, it’s a total white flag. It’s an admission that the current window is closed, locked, and boarded up.
👉 See also: J.J. Watt: The Brutal Reality Behind the 2015 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
What you should do next:
Keep a very close eye on the Browns' head coaching hire. If they land a veteran, winning coach, it’s a sign they’re keeping Garrett and trying to win now. If they hire a young, "project" coordinator, start preparing yourself for the possibility of a blockbuster trade. You should also track the "dead cap" implications of a post-June 1st trade, as that's the most likely window for a deal of this magnitude to actually happen without breaking the team's bank.