Trading Myles Garrett Was the Browns’ Only Option

Jan 4, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) kneels on the field during a first half timeout against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Trading Myles Garrett Was the Browns’ Only Option

Originally posted on The Lead | By Noah Olson | Last updated Jun 4, 2026 2:58 PM ET

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The unthinkable to many Browns fans has happened.

June 1 was the first day that Cleveland was able to trade Myles Garrett, the Browns’ “face of the franchise.” The Browns did just that, dealing Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick. With this move, no player aside from Denzel Ward (and technically Grant Delpit) from the 2020 Browns playoff run remains. The Browns now look to move into a new era.

This move is and will continue to be divisive for fans for years to come.

What Do the Browns Have in Jared Verse?

Make no mistake: the key to the trade being accepted by the Browns was the addition of Jared Verse.

Verse, only 25, is already a two-time Pro-Bowler as well as the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year. The stats, mainly sacks, do not jump off the page; Verse has only had 12 total sacks in his two-year career. However, he was sixth in the NFL in 2025 with 80 pressures. His pressure rate shows that Verse can become a premier pass rusher in the NFL as long as he continues to grow and turn those pressures into sacks.

More Jared Verse propaganda. #Browns #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/wu8dACZs8j

— Matt Wilson (@CoachWilson66) June 2, 2026

Verse rose his sack total from 4.5 in his 2024 rookie campaign to 7.5 in his 2025 sophomore campaign. If Verse can continue the trajectory his career is on, the Browns have added a star edge rusher with this move, despite losing the NFL’s premier one in Garrett.

Adding Draft Capital Was Necessary

Aside from a budding star in Jared Verse, the Browns also added ample draft capital, including a first-round pick in the coveted 2027 NFL draft. The Browns now have two first-round picks for their second draft in a row, a draft where they, like many other teams, may be searching for their franchise quarterback, barring an undeniable showing from either Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson.

The Browns trading Myles Garrett gives them the draft capital to get a QB AND Jeremiah Smith in 2027.

That is the new agenda. See you guys in the 2029 Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/fbwUPlZdn8

— WizKay (@WizKayTV) June 1, 2026

Mix the two firsts with the extra draft capital the Browns received from the Rams, on top of their own picks, and one can see a path towards trading up without even knowing where exactly the pick will land order-wise.

Myles Garrett Trade Will Define the Next Browns Era

While the popular pushback on the trade — in terms of the Browns’ side — is the lack of draft compensation, many view Verse as first-round-pick value given his age and accolades in his young career. If you view the trade in this light, it’s like the Browns got two first-round picks and used one on a replacement edge rusher they know has had success in the NFL.

Time will tell all, but the Browns did what they felt they had to do, and Andrew Berry’s reputation is on the line yet again because of it.

This article first appeared on The Lead and was syndicated with permission.

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