In a surprising turn of events, defensive end Myles Garrett has agreed to a contract extension with the Cleveland Browns. This offseason, Garrett requested a trade from the team, and rumors circulated that he had “shut the door” on any contract extension discussions with the Browns. Despite his trade request, the Browns remained firm in their stance of not trading him. After a month-long standoff, the two sides have now reached a historic agreement—a four-year extension worth up to $160 million, with $123 million of that guaranteed.
Photo Cred: USA Today
With an average salary of $40 million per year, this deal makes Garrett the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, as well as the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. Garrett, who has been one of the NFL’s top defensive players since his rookie season in 2018, solidified his worth by winning the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year award. His remarkable consistency and performance have earned him this groundbreaking contract.
The development is especially intriguing considering Garrett had previously expressed a desire to leave Cleveland and join a playoff contender. At the time, he indicated that money wasn’t his primary concern—winning was. Despite the Browns’ offers of a substantial contract extension, Garrett remained adamant in his stance that only a winning team could sway him.
However, things seem to have changed as Garrett becomes the highest-paid defender in league history. While he may not have anticipated such a lucrative offer, the massive contract appears to have altered his perspective on the Browns’ future. Garrett has since pledged to recruit free agents to Cleveland and even participated in a meeting with free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson and the Browns’ front office.
While Garrett’s decision signals optimism for the team, the Browns still have a lot of work to do—particularly at the quarterback position—to compete at a high level next season. The Browns’ front office has developed a plan that seems to have won over Garrett’s confidence. They have freed up cap space by restructuring contracts, including that of quarterback Deshaun Watson, which will help in the free-agent market. In addition, offensive lineman Joel Bitonio, who previously hinted that his future in football depended on the Browns’ direction, has announced that he will return for his 12th season. Bitonio’s decision to stay suggests the team’s plan for success has also won him over.
Photo Cred: USA Today
There’s no telling what moves the Browns will make this offseason, but they’ve already made some significant strides. The team has signed quarterback Kenny Pickett and is still expected to bring in another veteran quarterback. Additionally, with the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft, the Browns are in a prime position to select a quarterback of the future. They could choose from top prospects like Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, or even a non-quarterback like Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter. The team could also look to draft a quarterback later in the draft, with options like Jaxson Dart or Will Howard still available.
Ultimately, the Browns have a vision for the future, and that vision has clearly resonated with key players like Garrett and Bitonio. Despite still needing to finalize the quarterback situation, the team is moving forward with optimism. With the majority of the roster from their 11-6 playoff campaign in 2023 intact, the big question remains: Who will be under center for the Browns in 2024? The answer to that question could determine whether the Browns are contenders or just another rebuilding team.
