Insider reveals 'only reason' Browns made curious Myles Garrett move

Not long after it was learned that the Cleveland Browns and star pass-rusher Myles Garrett had "agreed to modified language on his contract" for when option bonuses would be due, Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand noted that two league sources said that "the out-of-the-blue contract modifications on a four-year extension signed a year ago essentially make Garrett easier to trade." 

During a Thursday appearance on ESPN Cleveland, Grossi expanded on why the Browns adjusted Garrett's contract this spring. 

"The only reason" Browns made unexpected Myles Garrett move

"The only reason to do this is to make [Garrett] more tradable," Grossi directly said. "The benefits to the team and to Myles are small. It wasn't necessary, but it was necessary if you have considerations to trade him. And he agreed to it. If you go to him and you say, 'Let's postpone your $29M for six months,' Myles is gonna say, 'Why? Why would I do that?' And your answer is, 'Well, we might be able to grant you your wish after all.'" 

Grossi was referencing how Garrett went public with a trade request in February 2025 before the 30-year-old ultimately signed a four-year, $160M contract extension that included $123.5M guaranteed to stay with the Browns. That deal included a no-trade clause, but Grossi speculated that Garrett could have some interest in joining his "hometown" Dallas Cowboys. 

This past August, the Cowboys received two first-round draft picks and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark from the Green Bay Packers for defensive star Micah Parsons. A two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winner, Garrett likely would be worth either a similar price or more to the Browns. 

A recent story hinted that Dallas could explore trading for Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders later this year after the Baltimore Ravens declined to give up a pair of first-round picks for his services because he failed a physical due to the meniscus repair he needed back in January. It sounds like Grossi thinks the Cowboys could pivot from Crosby to Garrett. 

What's "important" to know about Browns' Myles Garrett move

"What they say isn't important," Grossi added about the Browns' intentions regarding Garrett's future. "It's what they do." 

One thing the Browns seemingly have done is make it easier to trade Garrett before training camp practices get underway later this summer.