Browns GM clarifies trade stance on Myles Garrett

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) walks on the field during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Browns GM Andrew Berry clarifies trade stance on Myles Garrett after contract restructure

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Mar 29, 2026 5:04 PM ET

When the Cleveland Browns restructured the contract of defensive end Myles Garrett, it seemed they were doing so to facilitate a potential trade.

At the NFL meetings in Phoenix, however, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said it was a simple contractual move and nothing more.

Andrew Berry says Browns aren't planning on trading Myles Garrett

"If we wanted to trade Myles, we wouldn't have needed to make a contract adjustment," he said Sunday, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "So it doesn't have anything to do with that. ... Myles is career Brown. He is one of the faces of our organization. I think we've been very clear in both past and present."

The Browns moved option bonuses in 2026, 2027 and 2028 from the 15th day of the league year to a week before the start of the regular season. They also converted $8M of his base salary in 2029 and 2030 into a signing bonus.

Browns GM Andrew Berry just met with local reporters at the league meetings in Phoenix for about 30 min.

When asked about modifying the language in Myles Garrett’s contract, he wouldn’t explain why but said: “lf we wanted to trade Myles, we wouldn’t have needed to make a…
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) March 29, 2026

That gives Cleveland more time to create cap space each season, benefiting the DE. That said, the transaction won't silence trade whispers.

Why it makes sense for the Browns to trade Myles Garrett, even though they say otherwise

Garrett, whom Cleveland selected with pick No. 1 in the 2017 NFL Draft, has grown tired of playing for a perennial loser. The Browns have made the playoffs twice during his nine-year tenure in Cleveland.

Garrett requested a trade in 2025 before signing a four-year, $160M deal. If he did that again, teams would line up for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year. This past season, he set the record for most sacks in a season (23 in 17 games).

For now, though, the Browns are prioritizing winning with him, not rebuilding without him.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

More must-reads: