Despite weeks of trade rumors surrounding Browns star pass-rusher Myles Garrett, the six-time Pro Bowler ended up inking a historic contract extension with Cleveland.
On Sunday morning, the Browns announced that they had reached a deal with Garrett to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The new contract gives him $125.3 million fully guaranteed, with an annual salary of $40 million per year.
And with new reporting surrounding Cleveland’s stance on Garrett, we finally have some insight on why he opted to ultimately re-sign with the Browns.
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Why did Myles Garrett stay with the Browns?
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Garrett’s agency, Nicole Lynn, reached out to the Browns on Friday. Cleveland general manager Andrew Barry made it clear the Browns were never going to trade its star pass-rusher, so conversations turned to negotiating a deal:
This past Friday night Myles Garrett has his representative Nicole Lynn reach out to GM Andrew Berry. It was made clear again, the Browns were never going to trade him, so the two sides decided to knock out a deal. Garrett also wanted to help the Browns prepare for free agency.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 9, 2025
ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who first reported the news of the deal, added that both sides remained firm in their stances on Garrett being traded:
Both Garrett and the Browns had been dug in on their respective stances — the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year wanted to be traded to a contender, and the organization was adamant that they would not acquiesce in the request. Garrett first requested a trade in early February.
The Browns made it clear they weren’t trading Myles Garrett, and they never wavered from that stance. No player in the NFL has more sacks than Garrett over the last three years (44). A six-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, he remains in Cleveland under contract for the next…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2025
Although Garrett seemed adamant about wanting to play for a Super Bowl contender, it seems that the tune of $125.3 million in guaranteed money changed his tune:
Myles Garrett was adamant about wanting out of Cleveland, making it clear it wasn’t about money—it was about his lack of belief in the Browns’ direction.
Things change.
Now, he stays… with a record-breaking deal.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 9, 2025
Myles Garrett contract details
Per Schefter, Garrett’s new deal includes $123.5 million in guaranteed money and now makes him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history. He’ll make $40 million per year, and according to the Browns, the deal is good for four years, and goes through the 2030 season.
Russini adds that his new contract does include a no-trade clause.
The new deal comes on the heels of Raiders’ defensive end Maxx Crosby’s contract signed with Las Vegas last week, which at the time made him the highest-paid non-QB in league history. His deal, worth $106.5 million now sits second behind Garrett. As Schefter points out, Garrett isn’t the only big defensive name expected to get a big new contract:
In the off-season of the pass-rush deal, Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby each reached agreement this week on deals that made them the highest-paid non-QBs in NFL history:
🏈Myles Garrett: $40 million per year.
🏈Maxx Crosby: $35.5 million per year.Still to come
🏈Trey…— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2025
We’ll see which big defender domino is the next to fall. For now, Browns fans can breathe a sigh of relief that their star man isn’t going elsewhere.
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