{"id":13241,"date":"2025-02-08T12:23:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-08T12:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=13241"},"modified":"2025-02-08T12:23:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-08T12:23:00","slug":"trade-myles-garrett-what-do-all-the-contract-numbers-say-for-the-browns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=13241","title":{"rendered":"Trade Myles Garrett? What do all the contract numbers say for the Browns?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The talented future Hall of Famer has stated he wants out of Cleveland<\/em><\/p>\n

\"What<\/p>\n

It was quite a shock to everyone who covers the team or cheers for the Cleveland Browns on Monday, February 3 when All-World defensive end and elite pass rusher Myles Garrett announced that he would like to seek a trade out of Cleveland and suit up for a playoff team instead.<\/p>\n

Since his revelation to bolt the Browns, a lot has been written about the subject. His impending departure was the lead conversation on every sports radio show. The talk was both pro and con about Garrett leaving, and if so, what teams would be the most interested in obtaining his services.<\/p>\n

That is all fine and good. Maybe the Browns should grant his request and allow him to go to a club that is either in the Super Bowl or was just on the edge of competing in the big game.<\/p>\n

Understand this: the Browns own his football rights. They possess a valid contract with him in which he has two years remaining that will pay him $20 million this upcoming season and $25 million in 2026.<\/p>\n

Currently, Garrett has more money than he can spend. That $45 million is great and all, but it will just sit in an account like the rest of his unspent millions. He drives a nice car, but he doesn\u2019t own a fleet. He lives in a five-bedroom, five-bathroom, 4,500-square-foot house in Wadsworth, Ohio. But even that isn\u2019t a sprawling mansion like other high-profile athletes\u2019 purchase. His house only has a value of $1.49 million – not $14 million or $40 million as you might have expected.<\/p>\n

QB Aaron Rodgers owns four mansions in four states, for example. Garrett may not have Rodger\u2019s net worth, but he does have a respectable income and doesn\u2019t seem to spend too much or flaunt it. The bottom line is money isn\u2019t an issue in his life.<\/p>\n

When the Browns drafted Garrett first overall in the 2017 NFL draft, they could have had QB Patrick Mahomes instead. DE T.J. Watt or RB Christian McCaffrey. However, they chose Garrett. And he has delivered every season.<\/p>\n

A playoff year followed by a horrible season<\/h2>\n

The realization sank in for Garrett this year. That comprehension was that the Browns weren\u2019t ever going to be a Super Bowl contender as long as he remained a roster member.<\/p>\n

And that come-to-Jesus moment hit him this year.<\/p>\n

Last season, the Browns made the playoffs, won 11 games, became the highest Wild Card seed, and played one game in the postseason. One situation is firm: you can\u2019t win the Super Bowl if you don\u2019t make the playoffs.<\/p>\n

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\"Trade <\/picture> <\/span> Photo by Nick Cammett\/Getty Images<\/cite><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

This year, the Browns were outplayed and outmatched right out of the gate by getting blasted by the Dallas Cowboys, who, as the schedule of games fell off the calendar, proved to be a mediocre team. Losses to some of the NFL\u2019s worst teams such as the New York Football Giants, New Orleans Saints, and the Las Vegas Raiders proved that the Browns just were not good.<\/p>\n

A 14-loss season was the result.<\/p>\n

Garrett will be 30 years old during the upcoming 2025 season. Everyone knows that the 30-plateau is when an athlete begins to descend as the clock begins towards the end of their career. Garrett himself is well aware of this. In the interview he held with host Rich Eisen on \u201cThe Rich Eisen Show\u201d, Garrett stated:<\/p>\n

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\u201cI feel like the window for us as athletes is only so broad. And it only continues to close as years go by with anything that can happen on that field from day to day.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He realizes that his athletic clock is winding down, and he isn\u2019t closer to a Super Bowl appearance than the winless season he experienced during his rookie season eight years ago. So, he is asking the franchise to send him to a playoff contender which would at least give him a chance of getting a ring.<\/p>\n

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\"Trade <\/picture> <\/span> Photo by Catalina Fragoso\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/cite><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Garrett has stated this revelation is not based on an attempt to up his current contract, especially a ploy to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. He simply wants to win a Super Bowl, or at the very least be shipped to a playoff contender who is on the cusp of getting to the big game. He might never make it, and he might never win an NFL championship, but at least a club that goes to the playoffs on a regular basis is his best bet.<\/p>\n

But to do this, he would have to depart Cleveland. He would no longer be a resident of Northeastern Ohio. He would leave his teammates behind.<\/p>\n

So far, the Browns are taking a hard line and stating they have no intention of trading him. Sorry, but no thank you. But deep down, you can tell Garrett has no intention of playing in Cleveland any longer. Make a trade, get some great high-round picks, and improve the team. That\u2019s the entire strategy. Everyone wins, right? Yes?<\/p>\n

Hasn\u2019t Garrett given the team all his blood, sweat, and tears all these years? Hasn\u2019t he represented the City of Cleveland honorably? And now, can\u2019t they simply just grant his wishes?<\/p>\n

There are several media outlets that have predicted what the Browns would receive in return for his services. The pinnacle is several first-round draft picks. Holy Sackmaster Batman! That would certainly change the dynamics of the roster, so why not trade him?<\/p>\n

Therefore, it appears the process is relatively unpretentious: find a trade partner, agree to how many draft picks and in which round, and pull the trigger. Pretty simple, right?<\/p>\n

Not so fast <\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are some financial hurdles. In fact, more than you think and substantially an ample amount greater than anyone has mentioned regarding any of this.<\/p>\n

After sending out a message that he would like to be traded, Garrett has maintained his chill persona. But does he understand the impact that a pre-June 1 trade will have on his teammates?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s first dive into his contract history.<\/p>\n

Drafted first overall in the 2017 NFL draft, Garrett then inked a four-year, $30.41 million contract that was fully guaranteed. He received a $20.25 million signing bonus, offset language options, and the team installed an option for a fifth year.<\/p>\n

Cleveland exercised the fifth-year option on his contract on April 27, 2020.<\/p>\n

Three months later, the Browns signed him to an extension. The new deal was for five years paying $125 million with $50 million guaranteed. This contract\u2019s cap number is $19.722 million in 2025 and $20.374 million in 2026. There is also a voidable option year for 2027 at a price of $40.916 million.<\/p>\n

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\"Trade <\/picture> <\/span>
DE Myles Garrett talks with GM Andrew Berry <\/strong><\/figcaption>Photo by Nick Cammett\/Diamond Images via Getty Images<\/cite><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

GM Andrew Berry has a cap problem. The Browns salary cap situation is one of the league\u2019s most dire.<\/p>\n

Examine what a trade of Garrett would entail.<\/p>\n

As stated earlier, Garrett currently counts for $19.722 million on the cap this year. If Cleveland did indeed trade him, that would leave the team with $36.2 million in dead money. That equates to a loss of $16.5 million in cap room.<\/p>\n

For the Browns in the current state to be under the cap, Berry must restructure the current deals of Denzel Ward, Joel Bitonio, Deshaun Watson, and Wyatt Teller. This will open up $53 million. Additionally, OT Jack Conklin will need to be released which will give another $4 million in space.<\/p>\n

With these major moves and a few smaller player contracts restructured, the Browns will become salary cap compliant.<\/p>\n

However, trading Garrett would negate three of the moves mentioned above and thrust the Browns back into salary cap hell.<\/p>\n

In order to keep his dead money at only $36.2 million, Berry will have to adjust Garrett\u2019s current contract and remove the option bonuses he has for 2025, then shift those funds to the following year. This is a critical maneuver. If this is not accomplished, then the amount of the dead money would rise due to the option prorations with an offset to that money coming in 2026.<\/p>\n

There may be a different path Berry could take. The rules for adjustments after June 1 could play as an advantage.<\/p>\n

First off, the Browns would have to wait until the free agency period begins, and then after the NFL college draft is completed. Then trade Garrett after June 1.<\/p>\n

What this does is reduce the dead money to $15.6 million. But there\u2019s a small glitch. A one-time payment of $5 million would have to be paid to Garrett as an option bonus although Cleveland would not get any compensation for him in this year draft. The franchise would then defer $25.5 million of dead money to the 2026 contract year.<\/p>\n

As far as Garrett\u2019s contract, the club that ends up trading for him would need to pay him $14.8 million this season and $25 million in 2026. Most likely though, his new team would want him to be under a new contract before the trade is finalized to ensure that everyone is happy. This would in all likelihood place him in the $30-$35 million a year salary range.<\/p>\n

So, in the end with these scenarios, Garrett would be shipped off to a playoff contender plus be given a substantial raise.<\/p>\n

Is a trade likely?<\/h2>\n

Garrett is a beast as a pass rusher. The Golden Rule is you can\u2019t have enough cover cornerbacks or elite pass rushers.<\/p>\n

He wants to play in meaningful games and get his chance to win a Super Bowl or two, but there is only a 6.25% chance of that happening every year for any player in the league. Would any NFL club meet the trade demands set forth by Berry?<\/p>\n

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\"Trade <\/picture> <\/span> Photo by Jason Miller\/Getty Images<\/cite><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Seems like a pipe dream at this point.<\/p>\n

It is doubtful that a team would offer two first-round draft picks. The most likely is one first-round, one second-round, and a third-round selection for Garrett. Perhaps Berry could find a trade partner that may throw in a player, but the bottom line is the Detroit Lions\u2019 trade deadline bounty offer from last year of two first-round picks plus RB Jahmyr Gibbs has already sailed.<\/p>\n

Dawgs By Nature<\/strong> staff writer Damon Wolfe <\/strong>suggested: <\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m sobering up to trading Myles is not an option at all for Berry and (Kevin) Stefanski. They may have to swing really big. That\u2019s true. It\u2019s going to be a fascinating off-season. Right now, it\u2019s a PR standoff. I think in the end Myles caves because he cares too much about the guys in that locker room and it\u2019s a death blow for them. I wonder if this is Myles holding their feet to the fire in free agency?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Which brings up a valid point. The timing of Garrett\u2019s letter asking for a trade occurred before the free agency period plus the college draft. On the surface, this would indicate he is giving the Browns ample time to find his replacement. He didn\u2019t come up with this during the first week of training camp when all the replacement options had been picked over and Cleveland did not address pass rusher in the draft.<\/p>\n

And since any trade should occur after June 1, that would mean any draft picks the Browns would get for Garrett would be for future draft classes \u2013 and not this year.<\/p>\n

This fact in itself is a total \u201coh no\u201d moment.<\/p>\n

Knowing that Cleveland would enter the 2025 season without Garrett, two first-round picks in this year\u2019s draft would have been gold. If Garrett was traded to a playoff contender, that indicates they are picking at the bottom of the first round – but so what? Two first-round choices are two first-round blue-chippers added to a roster that has more holes than Alfred\u2019s Hall in Cirencester Park, England.<\/p>\n

Would this fact alter even a notion of a trade?<\/p>\n

Dawgs By Nature <\/strong>producer Jared Mueller <\/strong>offered this:<\/p>\n

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\u201cNo matter what, they need to act like they aren\u2019t trading him. The same as acting like they are taking a quarterback at the #2 slot. It is trade leverage.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Right now, Berry and the Browns have stated they are not paying attention to his trade request and aren\u2019t entertaining offers for Garrett.<\/p>\n

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Hang in there Myles! We\u2019re on our way! pic.twitter.com\/kDAUXA2qOk<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jake Marlow (@JakeMarlow47) February 3, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n