Myles Garrett is set to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history after reportedly signing a four-year contract extension with the Cleveland Browns.
The deal is understood to include $122.8m in guaranteed money, an average annual salary of $40m and a total value of $204.8m.
In February Garrett said he wanted to leave Cleveland in order to get a realistic shot at winning a championship. In a statement posted to social media at the time, the All-Pro pass rusher said his career goal “has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl. With that in mind, I have a requested to be traded from the Cleveland Browns.”
However, the Browns said they were determined to keep Garrett and have backed up that statement with the contract extension. The deal is likely to raise the bar for other non-quarterbacks seeking new deals, including Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons. Cincinnati have already stated plans to make Chase the highest-paid non-QB in the league.
The Browns selected Garrett with the No 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft and he has delivered on his potential, developing into a hugely disruptive force at defensive end and is now the Browns’ all-time leader in sacks. He is also a four-time first-team All Pro, a six-time Pro Bowler and was named defensive player of the year in 2023. Last season he had 14 sacks and 22 tackles for loss.
However, the Browns have mostly failed to surround him with a capable team. In the eight seasons since Garrett was drafted, the Browns have reached the playoffs just twice, never progressing beyond the divisional round. In his first season the Browns lost all 16 of their games; In 2024, they went 3-14. They have also struggled since awarding quarterback Deshaun Watson a record contract after landing him in a trade with the Houston Texans. Watson’s tenure has been troubled by poor play, controversies over allegations of sexual assault and a series of injuries.
Elsewhere on Sunday, the Buffalo Bills announced the long-anticipated decision to release Von Miller, parting ways with the aging edge rusher whose contract proved too expensive for his dwindling playing time and production.
The move allows the Bills to free up about $8.4m in salary cap space, which comes close to matching how much the team was projected to be over the limit before the NFL’s new year begins on Wednesday. Nevertheless, a portion of Miller’s contract will remain on Buffalo’s books this year and is projected to count more than $15m against the cap.
The Bills posted a picture of Miller with the words “Thank You Von” in making the announcement on their X account
