It appears that Myles Garrett has played his last game as a member of the Cleveland Browns. According to numerous reports, the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year has asked the Browns to trade him. There are complications to such a deal, as a trade would slap Cleveland with $32 million in dead cap for 2025. The team is already projected to be more than $27 million over the cap at the start of 2025.
Moving Garrett would be subject to Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson re-negotiating his deal (or being cut without pay if the team determines he injured himself acting against doctor’s orders). To incur such a cap hit, the team would also have to receive an offer that makes sense for their present and future. One team in a perfect spot to add the only player in NFL history with 14 sacks or more in four consecutive seasons, is the New England Patriots. How real are their chances though?
Whoever makes a deal for Garrett would have to be willing to pay him $20 million a year for the next two years (assuming they don’t negotiate a long-term deal). The Patriots have more cap space than any other team in the league going into next season. They are currently projected to have over $120 million and could add Garrett with nine figures to spare. Even if Garrett required a new deal in the vicinity of $25-30 million per year, it would be a breeze for the Patriots to make that happen.
New coach Mike Vrabel is also a defensive-minded coach. He has the ability to get the most out of every player on the roster. In 2023, as coach of the Tennessee Titans, Vrabel got defensive end Denico Autry to put up 11.5 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, and 17 quarterback hits. Autry was 33 at the time and had nowhere near Garrett’s ability at any point in his career. If Vrabel could get a player like him to wreak havoc on the defensive line, imagine what he could do with a player of Garrett’s caliber.
Finally, the Patriots have the assets necessary to make a trade happen, and they have a need for an edge rusher. Keion White showed promise in 2024, and Deatrich Wise has been aging well, but a player like Garrett would be welcomed with a parade in Foxborough. Currently holding the fourth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Patriots could give the Browns two top-five picks, which would be more than welcome in Ohio. If the choice is Abdul Carter for $9 million a year or Garrett for $20 million, then there really is no decision at all.
The Patriots have a great young core of players and are a season of good moves away from competing for a playoff spot. That may seem like a positive, but to a player who is already 29 years old, winning right now may be more the flavor he is seeking. This isn’t the NBA, and he doesn’t have a no-trade clause, so in theory, Garrett can’t choose his destination. A player being traded where he doesn’t want to be though, is not an easy task, and it’s a pill nobody wants to swallow.
The Patriots do have an enormous cache of funds to spend in the offseason, but they also have quite a few holes they need to fill. For starters, they need every single position along the offensive line. Drake Maye has talent, but he won’t do anything with it while he’s lying on his back. The team also has no wide receivers for him to throw to. A player like Tee Higgins could be in play since he wouldn’t be a number one receiver on any team but the Patriots, but he will cost almost $40 million a year.
Lastly, even though Garrett is a better option than Carter, the Patriots may have other plans for their draft pick. Maybe Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward falls to pick number four, and a team like the Raiders will offer three first-round picks to move up. If the Patriots make a move for Garrett now, it will be Cleveland who collects that ransom. The Patriots could still make a play for Garrett, but it would be after the draft, and indications are, that the Browns want this done sooner rather than later. Myles Garrett to New England is most likely just a pipe dream.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!
