In today's NFL, the days of quietly tweaking contracts are over. With resources like Over the Cap and Spotrac, fans are more informed than ever about the ins and outs of player deals.
Myles Garrett, a superstar in his own right, found himself in the spotlight due to a seemingly minor contract adjustment. The Browns' GM, Andrew Berry, and his team decided to push back the option bonuses in Garrett’s contract from March to September each year, raising eyebrows and sparking plenty of chatter.
According to Jason Fitzgerald from OTC, this move doesn’t free up any immediate cap space for the Browns this year. Instead, they converted some future base salary into roster bonuses, which benefits Garrett financially, as noted by ESPN's Field Yates.
However, the team won't see any cap relief until 2029. The real takeaway?
This adjustment provides the Browns with more cap flexibility down the line, a point confirmed by NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Schefter reported on the Pat McAfee Show that the Browns are adamant about not trading Garrett. Despite the buzz, the team insists they have no plans to move their defensive star.
Yet, the timing of the option bonuses does give both Garrett and the Browns some wiggle room to explore a trade, especially after June 1, when a trade could save the team $8.1 million in cap space. However, any trade would require Garrett to waive his no-trade clause.
While the Browns emphasize the cap flexibility angle, the possibility of a Garrett trade has captured national attention. The Browns quickly moved to manage the narrative, with Schefter relaying their firm stance against trading him. Despite their assurances, the NFL is unpredictable, and the future could hold different possibilities.
The Browns might not be actively shopping Garrett, but the contract setup leaves the door slightly ajar for future considerations. Although a trade this year seems unlikely, the dynamics could shift in the coming years. By 2028, with Garrett approaching 33, a trade could save the team over $20 million in cap space.
Schefter made it clear that the Browns are committed to Garrett, but the NFL landscape is ever-changing. Garrett himself had previously expressed interest in playing elsewhere for a shot at Super Bowls, only to sign a lucrative extension with Cleveland. With the new era under Todd Monken, any struggles could potentially lead to new discussions about Garrett's future with the team.