The Cleveland Browns and their star player Myles Garrett have agreed to change some of the details in his new contract that became official on Tuesday.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year agreed to a four-year contract extension, worth $40million per year and $123m guaranteed, with the Browns in March 2025.
It came after a bitter standoff between Garrett, who is dating Team USA Winter Olympics star Chloe Kim, and the Browns after he requested a trade away from Cleveland just weeks before.
Before the wording was changed this week, Garrett’s contract demanded his option bonuses in 2026, 2027 and 2028 be exercised by the 15th day of the league year, which was March 25 this year.
But, in the new wording, that date has been pushed back to just seven days before the regular season starts each year. ESPN reports the payment of those option bonuses has been tweaked to benefit Garrett.
Garrett has also had $8m of his base salary in 2029 and 2030 transferred into roster bonuses early in each league year. The tweaks mean Cleveland has more ability to create salary cap space but also benefits Garrett with better payment terms.
Myles Garrett (pictured with girlfriend Chloe Kim at the Winter Olympics) reworked his deal
Worried Cleveland Browns fans think the news could mean the defensive star will be traded
However, NFL fans believe the move makes Garrett a much more attractive trade proposition to possible suitors because it decreases the future dead cap hits.
One posted: ‘Myles Garrett’s reworked deal seems to have only one purpose, and that is setting up a post-June 1 trade. It could actually work for the Bills.’
Another added: ‘Looking like the @Browns are lining up avenues to trade Myles Garrett. Is it a draft day trade or after the 2026 season?’
A third replied: ‘I do think Myles Garrett will be traded. Its the result of the failure to find a QB with equal play to Baker Mayfield. The Deshaun Watson trade is an all time blunder that ultimate cost the Browns the window that began with drafting Myles Garrett.’
Another commented: ‘If the Browns choose to trade Myles Garrett, I think it comes closer to training camp. Browns already have nine draft picks this year, including five in the top 107. I’m sure they want future capital especially in 2027’.
One fan replied to the news: ‘Browns reworking Myles Garrett’s contract does two things: creates cap flexibility and increases the chances they could trade Garrett’.
‘The Browns need to trade Myles Garrett while his value is high. I don’t care about the cap hit. He doesn’t want to be in Cleveland anyway… get 3 first round picks for him and draft 3 good players,’ another added.
Garrett was the unanimous choice for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2025 after setting a season record for sacks with 23. He also won the award in 2023, when he dominated the NFL with 33 tackles for loss.