The Cleveland Browns made a quiet but significant move this week, tweaking the language in Myles Garrett’s contract. Officially, it’s about adjusting his guarantees, making sure the perennial All-Pro gets his money sooner rather than later. For a player who just bagged Defensive Player of the Year honors, recording 14 sacks, 30 QB hits, and four forced fumbles in 2023, it’s a no-brainer for the organization. This isn't just about paying a guy; it's about acknowledging his elite status and ensuring he remains the cornerstone of that defense for years to come.
Garrett, who signed a five-year, $125 million extension back in 2020, still had three years left on that deal. The original structure would have paid him a base salary of $13.25 million in 2024. This new adjustment likely converts some of his future salary into a signing bonus, giving him immediate cash while potentially lowering his cap hit for the current season. It's a win-win, really. Garrett gets his bag, and the Browns get a little flexibility in their notoriously tight cap situation. They’re projected to be over the cap by nearly $19 million heading into 2025, according to Spotrac. Every little bit helps.
Look, Myles Garrett isn't just a good player; he's a game-wrecker. Since entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2017, he’s racked up 88.5 sacks in 100 regular-season games. That’s more than a sack per game on average, a truly elite pace. In 2021, he set a franchise record with 16 sacks. He’s been named First-Team All-Pro three times (2020, 2021, 2023) and made five Pro Bowls. Those are Hall of Fame numbers if he keeps it up. The Browns know what they have. They saw what happened when he missed time in 2022 after a car accident – the defense wasn’t the same. This team went 11-6 last season, securing a playoff berth despite a revolving door at quarterback, largely thanks to that defense.
Thing is, the Browns have made some questionable financial decisions in recent years. Remember the fully guaranteed Deshaun Watson contract? That $230 million deal still looms large over their cap sheet. Keeping Garrett happy and motivated is paramount, especially when you consider the investment they’ve made elsewhere. They need their stars performing at an MVP level to justify those massive contracts. This contract tweak isn't just about fair compensation; it's about maintaining morale and showing the rest of the locker room that performance gets rewarded.
Real talk: this move sends a message. It tells Garrett, "You're our guy, and we appreciate what you do." It also tells other key players on that defense, like Denzel Ward and Za'Darius Smith, that the organization values its top talent. In a league where loyalty is often a one-way street, these gestures matter. It’s not just about the dollars and cents; it’s about the culture. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski has built a resilient group, and moves like this help solidify that foundation.
My slightly controversial take? The Browns should have extended Garrett outright with more new money and years, not just tweaked existing language. He’s still only 28 years old, entering his prime, and showing no signs of slowing down. Waiting another year or two will only make him more expensive. This was a good move, but it could have been a great one. They missed an opportunity to lock him up through his early 30s at a more favorable rate.
Bold prediction: Garrett will break his own franchise sack record in 2024, hitting 17.5 sacks, and the Browns defense will finish top three in the league in total yards allowed.