Myles Garrett wanted a ring, so he waived his no-trade clause and picked the Rams
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year chose a contender over a rebuild. 'Looking forward to bringing a championship to the Rams,' he said. McVay says it feels like the Stafford trade.
Myles Garrett held a no-trade clause, which meant the best pass rusher in football got to choose where he went. He picked the Rams, a contender, over staying on a rebuilding Browns roster. 'Looking forward to bringing a championship to the Rams,' he said, framing the move around the one thing Cleveland couldn't offer him: a real title window.
Why did Garrett want out of Cleveland?
Because the timelines didn't match. Garrett is at the peak of his career, coming off a record-setting 23-sack season, and the Browns are rebuilding around draft capital. A player that good on a roster that far from contention is a mismatch, and Garrett's no-trade clause gave him the leverage to fix it. He used that leverage to steer himself to a team built to win now rather than waiting on Cleveland's reset.
Why the Rams specifically?
Win-now fit and a championship-caliber roster. Los Angeles has Matthew Stafford, a strong supporting cast, and an aggressive front office willing to spend premium capital. Garrett said the chance to immediately impact a contender drove his decision to waive the no-trade clause. For a player chasing the ring that has eluded him through a decorated individual career, the Rams offered the clearest path of any team that could meet Cleveland's asking price.
What did it cost the Rams?
A lot, and McVay is comfortable with it. Los Angeles sent edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second, and a 2029 third to Cleveland. McVay compared the aggression to the Stafford trade that won the Rams a Super Bowl: 'This feels very similar to when we were fortunate enough to be able to acquire a player like Matthew Stafford.' He even left the door open to a possible Aaron Donald return, noting Donald's relationship with Garrett.
What does Garrett change for the Rams' defense?
Everything up front. He's the most disruptive defender in the league, and adding him to an already-capable Rams front gives Los Angeles a pass rush that can carry a defense in January. The bet is straightforward: pair an elite quarterback with an elite pass rusher and chase a title in a tight window. Garrett's own framing matched the front office's, which is exactly what a win-now team wants to hear from the centerpiece it just mortgaged its future to acquire.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Myles Garrett looking forward to help bring a championship to Rams
- ESPN: McVay talks Rams' pursuit of Garrett, possible Donald return
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