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The balance of power in the AFC North may have shifted dramatically.
According to NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero and ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns are finalizing a blockbuster trade that will send Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for star edge rusher Jared Verse, a first-round draft pick, and additional compensation. For the Baltimore Ravens, the immediate takeaway is obvious: one of the NFL's most dominant defenders is leaving the division.
Garrett has been a thorn in Baltimore's side since arriving as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. A two-time Defensive Player of the Year and owner of a 23-sack season, Garrett routinely altered game plans and forced opposing offenses to account for him on every snap. Garrett has had 28 solo tackles, 15 assists, 14.0 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries in 16 games versus the Ravens in his career.
With Garrett now headed to Los Angeles, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense no longer have to face the All-Pro pass rusher twice every season.
The trade also raises significant questions about Cleveland's long-term direction.
The Browns have consistently maintained they were not interested in moving Garrett, and owner Jimmy Haslam stated earlier this offseason that he believed Cleveland could compete for a Super Bowl while Garrett remained under contract through 2030. Trading away the face of the franchise's defense sends a different message. By acquiring Verse, a first-round pick, and additional assets, Cleveland appears to be positioning itself for the future. The move could provide the Browns with the draft capital necessary to pursue a franchise quarterback in 2027, a class many evaluators believe could feature top prospects such as Arch Manning, LaNorris Sellers, and Dante Moore.
For Baltimore, the departure of Garrett removes one of the AFC North's defining players and could weaken a Browns defense that ranked among the NFL's best last season. Whether Cleveland views the move as a reset or a retool, the Ravens are watching a longtime division rival undergo a dramatic transformation while one of the league's premier pass rushers heads to the NFC.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Browns signal rebuild by trading Myles Garrett to Rams
Continue reading...
According to NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero and ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns are finalizing a blockbuster trade that will send Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for star edge rusher Jared Verse, a first-round draft pick, and additional compensation. For the Baltimore Ravens, the immediate takeaway is obvious: one of the NFL's most dominant defenders is leaving the division.
Garrett has been a thorn in Baltimore's side since arriving as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. A two-time Defensive Player of the Year and owner of a 23-sack season, Garrett routinely altered game plans and forced opposing offenses to account for him on every snap. Garrett has had 28 solo tackles, 15 assists, 14.0 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries in 16 games versus the Ravens in his career.
With Garrett now headed to Los Angeles, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense no longer have to face the All-Pro pass rusher twice every season.
The trade also raises significant questions about Cleveland's long-term direction.
The Browns have consistently maintained they were not interested in moving Garrett, and owner Jimmy Haslam stated earlier this offseason that he believed Cleveland could compete for a Super Bowl while Garrett remained under contract through 2030. Trading away the face of the franchise's defense sends a different message. By acquiring Verse, a first-round pick, and additional assets, Cleveland appears to be positioning itself for the future. The move could provide the Browns with the draft capital necessary to pursue a franchise quarterback in 2027, a class many evaluators believe could feature top prospects such as Arch Manning, LaNorris Sellers, and Dante Moore.
For Baltimore, the departure of Garrett removes one of the AFC North's defining players and could weaken a Browns defense that ranked among the NFL's best last season. Whether Cleveland views the move as a reset or a retool, the Ravens are watching a longtime division rival undergo a dramatic transformation while one of the league's premier pass rushers heads to the NFC.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Browns signal rebuild by trading Myles Garrett to Rams
Continue reading...
