Cleveland Browns modify Myles Garrett’s contract. But to what end?
Is this just a standard transaction to help with the salary cap? Or does it signal the beginning of the end for Garrett?
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JANUARY 04: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns walks across the field in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry did some standard salary cap work on Wednesday as it pertained to the contract of defensive end Myles Garrett. But since it is the Browns and the league’s best defensive player, this routine bit of paperwork apparently must have a deeper meaning to it.
Unless, of course, it does not. Here is what we know, according to a report from ESPN’s Field Yates : The two sides have agreed to move the date that Garrett will be paid his option bonus from the 15th day of the league year to a week before the regular season’s first game. That covers 2026, 2027, and 2028.
Garrett agreed to have $8 million of his base salary converted into a roster bonus in 2029 and 2030. The change means that the Browns will have some additional flexibility to create cap space in each of the next five years. Garrett will now get some of his money earlier in the year in 2029 and 2030.
What no one knows at the moment: If there is really a reason beyond the salary cap for Berry to rework Garrett’s contract at this time. As we stated above, this is the Browns, so nothing can ever be viewed as just a normal day at the office. The move, at least in the eyes of some, was made to make it easier for the Browns to trade Garrett this year for a truckload of draft picks.