Myles Garrett trade smoke
Myles Garrett is tied to trade speculation again after the Browns restructured his contract to improve trade flexibility — Seahawks, Colts and even the Eagles are named as realistic landing spots. (si.com) League sources say the Bears face major obstacles if they try to pursue Garrett, and an Eagles proposal has been reported as gaining steam. (heavy.com) (newsweek.com)
The Browns pushed the contractual “option bonus” trigger dates that had been due on the 15th day of the league year (March 25 in 2026) to seven days before the regular season each year, a change first reported by ESPN’s Field Yates. (espn.com) That amendment affects three option bonuses: Garrett’s $29.2 million 2026 option, a roughly $39.36 million 2027 option and a roughly $21.4 million 2028 option, figures tracked by contract sites and reporting on the extension. (spotrac.com) Practically, deferring Garrett’s $29.2 million option until September changes short‑term cash flow and — per Yahoo Sports analysis — would let Cleveland realize roughly an $8.1 million cap benefit if they traded him after a June 1 roster transaction deadline. (sports.yahoo.com) League insiders and reporters say Cleveland publicly rejected trade noise after the tweak, with Adam Schefter reporting the Browns told him they are “100% definitely not trading” Garrett and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo calling the team “adamant” on the point. (sports.yahoo.com) Analysts have put a dozen clubs on the short list if a deal ever materializes — Sports Illustrated named teams including the Colts and Seahawks among 12 conceivable suitors — and Seattle still surfaces in part because it reportedly sits with roughly $33.2 million in cap room, according to cap-tracking commentary. (si.com) Philadelphia’s interest has been the loudest on paper, with multiple outlets reporting Eagles‑side proposals that have included as many as three first‑round picks in theoretical packages, and analysts sketching blueprints that would convert A.J. Brown’s post‑June 1 trade value to help net Philadelphia more draft capital. (bleacherreport.com) Chicago’s path is portrayed as harder: reporting notes the Bears would need to rework existing contracts or surrender substantial draft capital to clear room, and Chicago already added edge help in recent windows with Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo, a factor analysts cite when labeling Chicago’s pursuit as logistically complicated. (sports.yahoo.com)
