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Browns trading Myles Garrett to Rams

This photo combination shows Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, left, in Cincinnati, Jan. 4, and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse, Jan. 4, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/David Dermer, Mark J. Terrill)

The Cleveland Browns are trading two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster deal, three people briefed on the move told The Associated Press on Monday.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade has not been finalized.

The Browns will acquire pass rusher and linebacker Jared Verse — the 2024 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year — a 2027 first-round selection and other draft picks that are still being worked out.

Garrett has not been seen at the team facility during offseason workouts even though he made a couple of visits to Cleveland during the Cavaliers’ NBA playoff run. Garrett has a minority stake in the Cavaliers.

Coach Todd Monken said two weeks ago he had not had a face-to-face meeting with Garrett since being hired in late January. Defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg said last week he had some conversations over the phone with Garrett about the direction of the defense.

Garrett supported defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz being promoted to head coach before ownership opted for Monken. Schwartz ended up resigning after three years in Cleveland.

Garrett was the unanimous choice for Defensive Player of the Year last season after he had 23 sacks and broke the NFL single-season record. However, Garrett has been frustrated with the Browns’ direction over the past couple of seasons.

Cleveland is 8-26 the past two years after making the playoffs in 2023.

Garrett demanded a trade at the end of the 2024 season, but signed a four-year contract extension last March with a total value of $204.8 million that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The contract also included a no-trade clause, which meant that Garrett had the final say in his future destination.

However, Garrett’s frustration with the team’s direction remained high even after the extension.

In March, the Browns and Garrett agreed to modify the contract and defer option payments over the 2026-28 seasons. The first payment of around $10 million was due on May 28, but was moved to near the start of the regular season.

“I’m committed to winning, and as long as the team (and) organization are doing so and they’re committed to that same thing, then I’m all on board. But if we’re thinking anything other than winning — tanking or rebuilding, that’s not me,” Garrett said on Jan. 2 before Cleveland’s regular-season finale against Cincinnati.

Monken is the seventh coach hired by Dee and Jimmy Haslam since they bought the franchise in 2012. The previous six coaches under the Haslams have compiled a 73-139-1 regular-season record, the second-worst mark in the NFL. The Browns have had just four winning seasons since returning to the NFL in 1999.

The trade is yet another blockbuster deal swung by Rams general manager Les Snead, whose eagerness to use his draft picks in trades for star veterans has kept the Rams among the NFL’s top teams during coach Sean McVay’s decade on the sideline.

Just a couple of months ago, Snead acquired star cornerback Trent McDuffie from Kansas City in a deal for four draft picks, including a first-rounder, to rebuild the secondary that was the weak link of last season’s team.

Starting at $3.50/week.

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