NFL Blockbuster Trade Sees Superstar Pass Rusher Swap California for Ohio, Then Back Again
In a seismic shift that has sent shockwaves through the National Football League, elite edge rusher Myles Garrett has been traded for the second consecutive offseason. This time, the Cleveland Browns are reportedly finalising a deal that will see their star defender head to the Los Angeles Rams. The proposed trade, according to sources, involves the Rams acquiring Garrett in exchange for their own promising edge rusher, Jared Verse, and a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Adding further sweeteners to the deal, the Browns are also slated to receive a second-round pick in 2028 and a third-round pick in 2029.
Garrett, who enters his tenth NFL season, is fresh off a record-breaking campaign, registering a remarkable 23 sacks last season, setting a new NFL single-season benchmark. His arrival in Los Angeles could immediately elevate the Rams into prime contention for Super Bowl LXI, which is slated to be played on February 14, 2027, at their home ground, SoFi Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns appear to be embarking on yet another rebuilding phase, a familiar narrative since their re-establishment in 1999. While they land Verse, a highly regarded edge rusher, and a cache of future first-round draft capital, the question remains: will this be enough to appease a fanbase accustomed to significant player departures? This trade marks a significant pivot for both franchises, reshaping their immediate futures and long-term outlooks.
The Fallout: Who Wins and Who Loses?
Winner: Myles Garrett
For Myles Garrett, this move represents a golden opportunity to compete for a championship. At 30 years old, he joins a team with genuine Super Bowl aspirations. He currently ranks third among active players in career sacks with 125.5, and with his track record, he is poised to surpass legends like Von Miller (138.5) and Cameron Jordan (125.5) before hanging up his cleats.
Despite his individual accolades, Garrett’s nine-year tenure with the Browns saw him participate in only three playoff games. This trade offers him a chance to be a central figure on a contending squad. His presence provides the Rams with a pass-rushing force they haven’t possessed since the retirement of Aaron Donald, a fellow defensive linchpin who amassed 123 career sacks and was instrumental in their Super Bowl LVI victory.
This scenario draws parallels to when Reggie White, after eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, joined the Green Bay Packers in 1993. White’s six seasons in Green Bay culminated in a Super Bowl XXXI triumph. Garrett, who signed a substantial four-year, $160 million contract extension with Cleveland before last season after previously requesting a trade, now appears set to finish his illustrious career in Los Angeles.
Loser: Jared Verse
The return for the Browns, Jared Verse, has enjoyed a promising start to his NFL career. The 19th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Verse has recorded 12 sacks in his first two seasons and has been selected to two Pro Bowls. However, he is not yet the game-changing force that Garrett has proven to be.
Last season, the Browns’ defence was a formidable unit, tallying 53 sacks and conceding an average of 22.3 points per game, good for 14th in the league. This defensive strength helped mask an offence that struggled significantly, ranking 31st with just 16.4 points per game. Garrett was the engine of that pass rush, accounting for a staggering 43.4% of the Browns’ total sacks.
In contrast, the Rams recorded 47 sacks, with Verse contributing 15.9% of that total. Offensively, Los Angeles led the league, averaging an impressive 30.5 points per game. Verse, a native of Dayton, Ohio, has had an impressive journey from FCS star at Albany to a standout at Florida State and now to the NFL. He is likely to become a fan favourite in Cleveland, but the weight of expectation to replicate Garrett’s production will be an almost insurmountable challenge.
Winner: Rams Front Office
The Los Angeles Rams’ front office, led by General Manager Les Snead and Head Coach Sean McVay, has executed a bold move that could redefine their immediate future. The criticism following their selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft was palpable, particularly given the succession plan for the then 38-year-old Matthew Stafford. The Simpson pick was viewed as not addressing the team’s immediate Super Bowl window.
After reaching the NFC Championship Game last season, only to fall 31-27 to the Seattle Seahawks, the acquisition of Garrett is a game-changing manoeuvre. It effectively places the Simpson pick in the rearview mirror for the current and upcoming seasons, signalling an “all-in” approach for Los Angeles. This trade for arguably the NFL’s premier pass rusher is a shrewd decision that significantly bolsters their Super Bowl aspirations.
Loser: Another Cleveland Legend Departs
This trade continues a painful trend for Cleveland sports fans: seeing beloved, legendary players depart and find championship success elsewhere. The annals of Cleveland sports history are replete with such examples, from Bernie Kosar and Manny Ramirez to CC Sabathia. While LeBron James’s return and subsequent NBA championship in 2016 provided a much-needed reprieve, even his storied career involved championship runs with Miami and Los Angeles between his stints with the Cavaliers.
The Browns, who ranked sixth on a list of the NFL’s greatest players on the worst teams, with former tackle Joe Thomas topping that list, now see another franchise icon leave. While some Browns supporters may find solace in Garrett having a chance at a Super Bowl ring, it raises a stark question about the immediate trajectory of a franchise that has averaged a mere four wins per season over the past two years.
Winners: Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Aaron Rodgers
Myles Garrett has been a defensive nightmare for AFC North rivals throughout his career. He has amassed 43 career sacks in 46 games against the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers. In particular, he tormented the Ravens last season, recording 5.5 sacks in two games, and added three sacks in two matchups against the Bengals. The prospect of facing a divisional opponent without Garrett’s relentless pressure will undoubtedly bring relief to quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson.
While Garrett’s record against the Steelers is less dominant, having failed to register a sack in two games against them last season, the move still offers a slight reprieve for veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers as he prepares for his 22nd NFL season.
Loser: Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold, and Jacoby Brissett
The NFC West division proved to be the most fiercely contested in the NFL last season, and the addition of Garrett to the Rams’ formidable defence will only amplify the challenge for opposing quarterbacks.
The San Francisco 49ers, who split their series with the Rams, saw their quarterback, Brock Purdy, sacked only twice in starts when he was healthy. However, Purdy will now face a significantly different proposition with Garrett lining up against him.
For Sam Darnold, who endured a difficult time against the Rams last season, taking seven sacks in three games and throwing four interceptions in a Week 11 loss, the prospect of facing Garrett’s pressure will be a daunting one. The question looms: how will he perform under such intense duress with Garrett now in the Rams’ defensive front? Jacoby Brissett, facing a similar gauntlet in the NFC West, will also need to prepare for a heightened level of defensive pressure.
Winner: Browns’ Odds for the 2027 No. 1 Pick
The Cleveland Browns’ strategic moves, including this blockbuster trade, appear to be meticulously planned with their new stadium in Brook Park, Ohio, set to open for the 2029 season. This trade signals a commitment to building a competitive product by the time the new facility debuts.
However, the pressure remains squarely on owner Jimmy Haslam, General Manager Andrew Berry, and first-year Head Coach Todd Monken to maintain fan engagement, a perpetual challenge when parting ways with a franchise icon. The Browns did make strides in the 2026 draft, securing promising talents like Spencer Fano and KC Concepcion. With multiple first-round picks in 2027, the team has a prime opportunity to address the quarterback position, especially with Deshaun Watson entering the final year of his lucrative contract. The 2027 quarterback class is anticipated to be strong, featuring potential top prospects like Arch Manning and Dante Moore, offering a chance to definitively answer their long-standing quarterback conundrum.
Yet, as the adage goes, “it’ll get worse before it gets better.” This trade is unequivocally a long-term gamble, and Haslam is expected to grant Berry and Monken the latitude to see it through. The crucial question for Browns fans is: how much more adversity can they endure on this rebuilding journey?
