The NFL landscape shifted dramatically this offseason when the Cleveland Browns completed a blockbuster trade, sending superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. The move sent shockwaves through the league, as Garrett is coming off a historic 2025 campaign where he established a new single-season NFL record with 23 sacks.
Parting with a generational talent in his prime is a high-risk gamble, but the Browns secured a massive haul intended to fuel their future roster construction. In addition to acquiring young pass rusher Jared Verse, Cleveland received a significant package of draft capital:
- A first-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft
- A second-round selection in the 2028 NFL Draft
- A conditional third-round selection in the 2029 NFL Draft
While the deal currently guarantees one opening-round pick, a sophisticated and unusual contingency in the trade agreement could potentially upgrade the return to include a second first-round selection for the Browns.
The Special Provision That Could Increase Cleveland’s Draft Capital
The focal point of the trade’s long-term value lies in the 2029 conditional pick. This selection is currently slotted as a third-rounder, but it features a “poison pill” provision designed to protect the Browns from seeing their former franchise cornerstone suit up for a direct rival.
To prevent Garrett from returning to the AFC North, the Browns inserted a specific trigger: if the Los Angeles Rams trade Garrett to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, or Cincinnati Bengals at any point before the 2029 NFL Draft, the compensation escalates. In that scenario, Los Angeles would be forced to surrender a 2029 first-round pick to Cleveland instead of the original third-rounder.
This type of divisional protection is rare but has appeared in recent high-profile negotiations. The Dallas Cowboys implemented a nearly identical safeguard when they traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. In that agreement, Dallas ensured they would receive a future first-round pick if the Packers eventually moved Parsons to an NFC East opponent.
The Browns’ insistence on this clause likely stems from the Rams’ aggressive front-office reputation. General Manager Les Snead has a history of acquiring elite veterans and later moving them when the team’s direction shifts. A prime example is Jalen Ramsey, who was acquired from Jacksonville for two first-rounders, helped the Rams win a Super Bowl, and was subsequently traded to the Miami Dolphins just a few years later.
Given that Garrett is 30 years old and remains under contract through 2030, he is expected to be a pillar of the Rams’ defense for the foreseeable future. However, by including this condition, Cleveland has effectively ensured that if the Rams ever decide to move on from the star defender, he won’t be tormenting the Browns’ offense within their own division without a massive compensatory cost.
This trade represents a calculated reset for Cleveland, balancing the loss of an elite defender against a significant influx of assets. By securing Jared Verse and a potential pair of first-round picks, the Browns are banking on depth and future flexibility, while the Rams signal a clear “win-now” intent by adding the league’s premier sack specialist. The inclusion of the AFC North protection clause highlights the modern NFL front office’s focus on long-term strategic defense, ensuring that even in a departure, a star player cannot easily be weaponized by divisional rivals.
