BLOCKBUSTER TRADE RUMOR: Could Myles Garrett Leave Cleveland in 2026? Everything You Need to Know
By Pro Football Pulse | March 27, 2026 | NFL Trade Rumors | Reading Time: 6 min
- The NFL offseason just got dramatically more interesting. On March 25, 2026, the Cleveland Browns made a quiet but significant move — restructuring the contract of their superstar defensive end Myles Garrett. What looked like routine financial housekeeping has since exploded into one of the biggest trade storylines of the entire offseason. Could the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year actually be on the move?
Who Is Myles Garrett? A Generational Talent
To understand why this rumor is shaking the entire league, you first need to appreciate just how dominant Myles Garrett has become.
The 30-year-old defensive end is widely considered the best pass rusher in professional football — and the 2025 season made that case undeniable. Garrett broke the NFL's single-season sack record with 23 sacks in 2025, earning his second career Defensive Player of the Year award CBSSports.com in the process. He is a five-time All-Pro and the unquestioned defensive cornerstone of the Cleveland Browns franchise.
In short: there is no player quite like him in the NFL today.
The Contract Move That Sparked Everything
The possibility of a bombshell trade increased when the Browns and Garrett agreed to move a $29.2 million option bonus — originally due on March 25 — to seven days before the start of the regular season in September. Sports Illustrated
On the surface, the Browns described this as routine financial management. But the NFL world immediately started reading between the lines.
Before the contract change, the Browns would have faced a $70.3 million dead cap hit if they traded Garrett before June 1. After the restructure, that number dropped to $41.09 million — far more manageable figures, which is why a trade shouldn't be ruled out. Heavy Sports
Even more revealing: analysts noted that the only real benefit of this move for Garrett is to facilitate a trade away from Cleveland — and that's exactly why it has perked up ears across the entire league. Sports Illustrated
The Browns' Official Position: "We Are NOT Trading Garrett"
Here is where it gets interesting. Despite the swirling speculation, Cleveland has been forceful in denying any trade intentions.
According to NFL insider Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Browns are "adamant" that they are not going to trade Garrett, and that trade rumors have "nothing to do with the motivation" behind the contract adjustment. NFL
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com also confirmed that no thought is currently being given to a trade, and that Garrett's focus remains on leading the Browns to a rebound in 2026. CBSSports.com
However, the NFL world remains skeptical. Official denials are standard procedure — teams almost never publicly admit they're exploring trades for their star players until a deal is done.
Which Teams Are Actually in the Mix?
If the Browns do change course and make Garrett available, the list of interested teams is long and loaded with contenders.
Teams such as the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and New England Patriots all have significant defensive needs and the draft capital to pursue a blockbuster trade. Heavy Sports
Dallas Cowboys are perhaps the most aggressive suitor. The Cowboys were firmly in the hunt for Maxx Crosby, with a reported offer of a 2026 first-round pick (No. 12 overall) and a 2027 second-rounder. They would likely need to increase that offer for Garrett, but with two first-round picks this year, they have the capital to get a deal done. profootballnetwork
Buffalo Bills represent another serious option. With Josh Allen at quarterback, the Bills are firmly in their Super Bowl window, and adding Myles Garrett could push them over the top. ninersnation
Kansas City Chiefs have also been discussed, though their situation is complicated by the fact that Patrick Mahomes restructured his own contract this offseason to free up cap space — signaling the team is actively looking to add talent around their franchise.
What Would It Cost to Trade for Garrett?
Garrett recorded 23 sacks in 2025 to set an NFL record. If Maxx Crosby netted two first-round picks in trade discussions, the bidding for Garrett would realistically start at three first-round picks. Sports Illustrated
The price tag is enormous — but so is the reward. Any team that lands Garrett instantly becomes a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Garrett's contract also contains a no-trade clause, meaning he would need to approve any potential deal. CBSSports.com This gives the player significant control over his own destination — and adds yet another layer of uncertainty to the situation.
Why Cleveland Might Actually Pull the Trigger
Despite the official denials, there is a compelling football argument for Cleveland trading Garrett.
In his eight seasons with Cleveland, the Browns are 58-74-1 for a .439 win percentage. Garrett will be 30 by season's end, meaning his trade value will never be higher. The assets from a trade could be channeled into the highly anticipated 2027 QB draft class, which analysts are already calling "historic." Sports Illustrated
The Browns are also reportedly pushing for a rule change that would increase their leverage. Cleveland has proposed allowing NFL teams to trade draft picks up to five years in advance, extended from the current three-year limit. This would allow teams to spread out the pain of surrendering multiple first-round picks for Garrett over a longer timeframe. ninersnation
The Bottom Line: Real Smoke, No Fire Yet
This situation has all the ingredients of a genuine blockbuster — a superstar player, a financially motivated contract move, a team in transition, and a long list of hungry contenders willing to pay a massive price.
For now, the Browns have not indicated any intention to move Garrett. But the restructuring has undeniably changed the financial landscape around his contract. Whether this is simple cap management or the groundwork for a future blockbuster trade, the NFL world is watching closely. Heavy Sports
One thing is certain: if Myles Garrett is traded, it will be the most seismic move of the 2026 NFL offseason — and possibly one of the most significant trades in league history.
Stay tuned to Pro Football Pulse for live updates as this story continues to develop.
Tags: Myles Garrett trade rumors, Cleveland Browns 2026, NFL trade rumors, Myles Garrett contract restructure, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, NFL Defensive Player of the Year, NFL offseason 2026, pass rusher trade
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