Myles Garrett May Soon Cash In With Extension With Browns

Myles Garrett may soon be committed longterm to the Browns and be well-compensated for it.

As first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Garrett’s camp and the Browns have engaged in talks surrounding a ‘megadeal’ for the defensive end, who is heading into his fourth NFL season. Cleveland has already picked up his fifth-year option, worth just over $15 million per Over The Cap.

An extension for Garrett could very well see him set the new standard for salary at defensive end. Per Over The Cap, Bears defensive Khalil Mack end has the highest salary per year at the position right now at $23.5 million per year with Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence and Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark coming in next at $21 million and $20.8 million per year, respectively. If Garrett’s deal resets the market for the position, that see him making $25 million (or more) per year.

Publically, the organization has indicated its commitment to Garrett, who the team took No. 1 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. The 24-year-old has 30.5 sacks in three years, was second team All-Pro in 2018 and made the Pro Bowl the same year.

“We do see Myles as a long-term member and pillar in our organization,” GM Andrew Berry told 105.7 the Fan Baltimore last month, per cleveland.com. “Great player, great person. Obviously, he did make a mistake last year that he’s learned from. But our confidence in and faith in Myles has not wavered and we’re looking to seeing what he does this year and certainly for years to come.”

Last season, before his suspension for swinging his helmet at Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, Garrett had 10 sacks and was close to establishing himself as one of the best defensive players in football. The expectation, were he to sign a a so-called megadeal, would be that he’d be among the most impactful defensive players in football for the duration of the deal. There is no evidence suggesting that won’t be the case.

Garrett’s deal also could be the first of several new deals for recent Browns draft picks. None are likely be signed now, but deals for corner Denzel Ward and quarterback Baker Mayfield — both heading into their third years — could come as early as next summer, particularly if both play well this upcoming season. Mayfield’s potential next contract is the one to watch considering the position he plays and his regression in his second season.

One other potential deal to watch for is Nick Chubb’s. The to-be third-year running back was arguably the Browns’ best offensive player last year and has two years left on his deal. When he would hit free agency after the 2021 season, he’ll surely want a raise from that $1.1 million in 2020 and $1.48 million he’ll make in 2021. But with teams more hesitant to pay running backs than ever before, and other huge deals potentially coming with Garrett and others, the squeeze could be put on Chubb.

But first up is Garrett, who seems like a lock to be paid sooner rather than later.