The Cleveland Browns' offseason just got a whole lot more intriguing. After parting ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski, the Browns embarked on an extensive search that culminated in Todd Monken stepping into the role for his first NFL head coaching gig.
While things had been relatively stable in Berea, changes have been brewing. GM Andrew Berry has been busy reshaping the offensive line, with OL Wyatt Teller moving on to a new team, TE David Njoku bidding farewell to Cleveland, and OL Joel Bitonio hinting at retirement.
The real buzz, though, centers around DE Myles Garrett. The Browns have restructured Garrett's contract, paving the way for a potential, albeit complex, trade. If Garrett were to be traded, CB Denzel Ward might also be on the move, especially after some intriguing contract maneuvers earlier this offseason.
Team sources have entered the fray, with ESPN Cleveland’s Emmett Golden leading the discussion. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones chimed in, noting that the contract adjustment means Garrett receives his money sooner, granting Cleveland more salary cap flexibility.
Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated weighed in, suggesting that Berry might have taken a page from the Eagles’ playbook. The contract restructuring appears to modernize Garrett’s deal, a strategy pioneered by Eagles GM Howie Roseman.
This approach allows for minimal cap charges while retaining the option to trade or void guarantees if necessary. Berry’s brother, Adam, who is the Eagles’ VP and head of football operations, might have had a hand in this savvy move.
At its core, this restructuring means Cleveland doesn’t have to account for Garrett’s bonuses until right before the season, offering more flexibility for signing, trading, or releasing players later in the offseason. While they must still be cap-compliant when the bonuses are due, it buys them valuable decision-making time.
Despite denials from Browns and NFL sources, and practical reasons for the contract change, the Garrett trade rumors might quiet down soon. However, if the NFL approves Cleveland’s proposal to extend the trading of draft picks to five years down the road, the conversation could reignite.