In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Cleveland Browns have traded star defensive end Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. The announcement came on Monday, leaving fans and analysts alike stunned by the decision.
Garrett, fresh off a record-setting 2025 season with 23 sacks, was expected to remain a cornerstone of the Browns’ defense. However, the team opted to part ways with the standout player in a deal that could only be justified by a significant return. And indeed, the Browns secured a promising package in exchange.
As part of the trade, Cleveland acquired Jared Verse and three valuable draft picks from the Rams. While the deal currently includes one first-round pick, a unique conditional clause could potentially yield a second first-round selection for the Browns.
- 2027 first-round pick
- 2028 second-round pick
- 2029 conditional third-round pick
The future of the trade hinges on Cleveland’s conditional 2029 draft pick. The nature of this pick depends on certain conditions being met, adding an intriguing layer to the transaction.
How the Browns could score an extra first-round pick
The Browns have taken steps to ensure Garrett doesn’t make his way back to the AFC North by incorporating an unusual stipulation in the deal. Should the Rams decide to trade Garrett to any team within the AFC North before the 2029 NFL Draft, they will be required to hand over a first-round pick instead of the originally agreed-upon third-rounder.
The Browns did their best to make sure that Garrett won’t end up back in the AFC North by inserting a unique clause in the deal: If the Rams trade Garrett to an AFC North team at any point between now and the 2029 NFL Draft, then Los Angeles will have to cough up a 2029 first-round pick instead of a third-rounder.
That’s it. That’s the one condition. If the Rams ship Garrett off to Pittsburgh, Cincinnati or Baltimore, then the Browns will get a first-round pick from L.A. in 2029.
Although it’s an unusual condition, it’s not unheard of. As a matter of fact, the Dallas Cowboys used this exact condition when they sent Micah Parsons to Green Bay. Under the terms of the deal, the Cowboys would get a 2028 first-round pick from the Packers if they decided to trade Parsons to another NFC East team.
Now, you might think the Browns are a little crazy for doing this, but when you’re dealing with the Rams, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Back in 2019, the Rams sent two first-round picks to Jacksonville in a trade for Jalen Ramsey. The cornerback won a Super Bowl in 2021 and got voted to three Pro Bowls during his time in L.A., but after the 2022 season, the Rams turned around and traded him to the Miami Dolphins.
The Dolphins obviously aren’t in the same division as Jacksonville, but the Rams showed that their open to trading away a star player just a few years after acquiring him. And since that’s the case, the Browns did their best to make sure Rams general manager Les Snead thinks twice before trying to trade Garrett to the Steelers, Ravens or Bengals.
Garrett is 30 years old and he’s under contract through the 2030 season, so he probably won’t be leaving L.A. unless the Rams decide to trade him, and if that happens, it almost certainly won’t be to an AFC North team thanks to this unique condition buried in the trade terms.
