The Cleveland Browns stunned the NFL in June 2026 when they traded franchise icon and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. While many around the league questioned why Cleveland did not create a larger bidding war, general manager Andrew Berry says maximizing draft compensation was never the primary objective.
Speaking to reporters after the trade, Berry addressed reports that the Browns engaged seriously with only one team before finalizing the deal.
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“That wasn’t the goal. That wasn’t the goal of Myles,” Berry said when asked why Cleveland did not shop Garrett more aggressively. “And probably what I mentioned at the onset, if we were to trade Myles, it’s a very narrow universe of deals that satisfy it.”
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The Rams ultimately landed the NFL’s most dominant edge rusher, while Cleveland received a significant return package headlined by 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a conditional 2029 selection.
Berry emphasized that acquiring a player of Garrett’s caliber is not realistic for most organizations.
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“Everyone wants to have a Myles Garrett on their team, but not everyone can afford that acquisition cost in terms of players, picks, and dollars,” Berry said. “So, yeah, that was not the intent of any of it.”
The trade makes more sense when viewed through the lens of Cleveland’s current situation. The Browns finished 5-12 in 2025, last in the AFC North, despite Garrett delivering one of the greatest defensive seasons in league history. His 23 sacks set a new NFL single-season record, yet Cleveland still missed the playoffs and dismissed head coach Kevin Stefanski after the season.
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So, Berry’s comments reveal a front office focused on roster construction rather than collecting extra assets. The Browns needed a foundational player who could contribute immediately, and Verse fits that profile. At 25 years old and already one of the league’s most promising pass rushers, he offers a bridge between the current roster and Cleveland’s next competitive window.
The Rams, meanwhile, are clearly operating in win-now mode. Pairing Garrett with an established contender gives Los Angeles a legitimate chance to field the NFL’s most disruptive defensive front.
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For Cleveland, trading a future Hall of Famer is painful. However, keeping Garrett through another rebuilding phase would have done little to solve the team’s deeper issues on offense and overall roster balance. Berry’s explanation suggests the Browns were not searching for the highest bidder. They were searching for the deal that best aligned with the franchise’s long-term plans.
