The Cleveland Browns appear ready to make defensive end Myles Garrett the future and cornerstone of their defense with a record-setting extension looming.
The 2019 season was not a banner year for Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. Sure, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2017 draft racked up 10 sacks in as many games. However, he was also suspended for the final six games of the season after the ugly helmet-swinging incident during a brawl with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
Despite the mark going on his permanent record, Garrett is set to return for the 2020 season. And if new Browns general manager Andrew Berry has his way, he’ll have the defensive end in Cleveland for a long, long time.
Speaking on the “RapSheet + Friends” podcast with NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Berry said that a contract extension for Garrett is in the works and the Browns hope to get a deal done relatively soon. Moreover, the new deal for Garrett could pay him roughly $25 million per year, which would make him the highest-paid player at the position in NFL history.
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Garrett has undoubtedly lived up to the billing as the No. 1 pick from 2017 when he’s been on the field. In 37 career games, the Texas A&M product has 30.5 sacks, 32 tackles for loss and 65 QB hits to his credit. He’s been a pass-rushing force, which is exactly what he was brought in to be. It’s also why he’s the only top-five pick in his draft class to have his fifth-year option picked up.
For as bad as the helmet-swinging incident was this past year, that’s also the only “character issue” we’ve seen from Garrett as well. He’s been a stand-up citizen otherwise, even if he has plenty of good faith to restore after the brawl he incited.
Regardless, on the field, Garrett can clearly be the cornerstone for a high-end defense and Berry is ready to make him that for the Browns. If he can not only be as good as he has been to this point but even get better as he reaches his prime, Garrett would be worth every penny of a $25 million per year extension. He’s that much of a game-changer for a defensive line.
We’ll see how quickly a deal materializes between the Cleveland Browns and Myles Garrett. However, given all of the factors involved, the only shocking outcome would be to see a contract extension not getting done when it’s all said and done, giving the franchise the foundation of a defense to pair with Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr., Nick Chubb and the budding offense.
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