The Browns’ blockbuster deal with the Rams already looks a little more complicated than it did when the offseason dust first settled.
Cleveland sent Myles Garrett to Los Angeles in a move that stunned the league, getting back defensive end Jared Verse plus three draft picks: a first-rounder in 2027, a second-rounder in 2028, and a third-rounder in 2029. Because the Rams were widely expected to be strong, the big assumption was that next year’s first-round pick would sit near the back of the round.
That picture may not be so simple now.
Garrett is set to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee and will go on injured reserve for at least four weeks, according to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero and other media outlets. The issue comes after a Week 1 loss in Melbourne, Australia, where the Rams were manhandled by the San Francisco 49ers and Garrett was held without a tackle, finishing with just three pressures on Brock Purdy. ESPN noted it was the first time Garrett had ended a game without a tackle since Week 11 of the 2024 season, and only the fourth such game of his career.
After the game, Garrett said his knee was not 100 percent. He did not specify which knee was bothering him, though media reports said he missed most of training camp and wore a sleeve on his left leg during practices.
It’s obviously a tough break for Garrett and for Los Angeles, but it could also end up mattering for Cleveland’s draft haul. That said, it’s way too early to draw a straight line from one game to the Rams’ future record. They’ve played only once, and there’s still plenty of time for Garrett to recover and for Los Angeles to go on the kind of run many expected from them.
For now, though, this is one situation the Browns will be watching closely.
In Other News...
Browns Suddenly Have A Deshaun Watson Question They Cant Ignore
Deshaun Watsons return from Achilles injuries gave the Browns a long-awaited answer on Sunday, but it also created a fresh layer of uncertainty. In his first game action since the 2024 season, Watson completed 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards with a touchdown and an interception, though he also took five sacks in a loss to the Jaguars. Cleveland had been waiting to see how he would look physically and how the offense would function with him back under center, and the first outing at least showed the team still has work to do.
Afterward, coach Todd Monken pushed back on the idea that the loss should fall on Watson alone and said the Browns would evaluate everything moving forward. What Monken did not do was give Watson a clear runway to the next game against the Buccaneers, leaving the quarterback situation open for now. For a Browns team trying to stabilize an offense that has already been through so much, that silence may be just as important as the performance itself. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Suddenly Have A Backfield Question Behind Quinshon Judkins
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McLaughlin brings a different look to the offense after spending time with the Denver Broncos, and his smaller frame has not kept him from showing real rushing ability. His style also fits the idea of a complementary piece, which is why his name is now moving to the front of the conversation as Cleveland sorts out the touches behind Judkins. [Read more 🡒]
Deshaun Watson Gave Browns Fans Another Painful Reason To Boil Over
Deshaun Watsons first game of the season quickly turned into a familiar frustration for Browns fans. Starting at quarterback against Jacksonville in Week 1, he gave Cleveland an uneven opening half marked by two turnovers, multiple sacks and very little passing production, while the Browns were forced to play from behind.
The sideline reaction only added to the mood, with Watson seen wiping his visor as the struggles piled up. By then, the criticism was already spreading beyond the stadium, as commentators and fans alike had plenty to say about the way the offense looked and the lack of answers it produced. [Read more 🡒]