Myles Garrett getting traded to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason will go down as one of the biggest NFL moves of this decade. It might seem like the Rams won this trade, as they got Garrett, one of the best edge rushers to play the position. However, a former Cleveland Browns player argues that the AFC North franchise may be the winner.
T.J. Ward Reveals How Browns Won the Myles Garrett Trade
In exchange for Garrett, the Browns received a 2027 1st-round pick, a 2028 2nd-round pick, and a 2029 3rd-round pick, which will help them build their core. They also received edge rusher Jared Verse, who is a great player in his own right. According to PFSN’s EDGE Impact Metric, he finished last season with an impact score of 86.3, ranking 13th in the league.
In a recent segment on the “Speakeasy” show, T.J. Ward, who played for the Browns in the early 2010s, highlighted other ways the Browns won the trade by acquiring Verse.
“I think that’s a win for the Browns,” Ward said. “I may sound crazy, but… numbers aren’t everything. Now, Myles is a great talent; Verse is younger. I think Verse does a variety of things a little bit better than Myles. And what I also know for a fact is when you’re not on a winning team, your numbers can be inflated… When you have other playmakers around you making plays, you can’t make every play.”
Ward’s first point about Verse being younger is very valid, as he will join a Browns defense that is building around young and promising talent. On the defensive line, Verse will play alongside defensive tackle Mason Graham, who will be entering his sophomore year next season. Graham had a solid rookie year, earning a C+ grade and ranking 25th according to PFSN’s Defensive Tackle Impact Metric.
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Graham, who is 22, and Verse, who is 25, will be wrecking opposing offensive lines for years to come. Going to the second level of the defense, linebacker Carson Schwesinger had a phenomenal rookie year in 2025.
Last year, Schwesinger recorded 2 interceptions, 2.5 sacks, and 156 total tackles. For his versatile season, Schwesinger won Defensive Rookie of the Year, while earning a B grade and ranking 15th in the league according to PFSN’s Linebacker Impact Metric.
Verse and this other talent will get coached by Mike Rutenberg. Last year, Rutenberg was the defensive pass game coordinator under Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. The Falcons’ secondary had some standout moments, such as rookie safety Xavier Watts, who had a great season, earning a B grade and ranking 7th according to PFSN’s Safety Impact Metric.
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So, Verse and the Browns’ defense have a lot of potential. Even if things take a bit to click, this should be a unit to watch for years to come. Having a strong defense in a division with quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow should help Cleveland remain competitive in the AFC North.
Ward’s second point about inflated stats because of a bad team is a bit of a stretch. Garrett broke the sack record in a season with 23. The previous record holder was Michael Strahan with the New York Giants in 2001 and T.J. Watt with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021, both with 22.5 sacks. The Giants went 7-9 in 2001, and the Steelers went 9-7-1 in 2021. In Garrett’s case, the Browns went 5-14, and even while playing without a lead, he was able to dominate as a pass rusher.
Overall, it is very impressive that the Browns were able to land a player of Verse’s caliber in trading away a legend like Garrett.