Former Cleveland Browns No. 1 pick Myles Garrett made the news for all the wrong reasons last season after he was suspended for the final six games due to an ugly incident in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Considered one of the best young pass rushers in the NFL, The Browns are not letting that incident cloud their judgement.
Browns talking to Myles Garrett about massive contract extension
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the two sides are talking about an extension that would, in all likelihood, make Garrett the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
The No. 1 overall pick back in 2017, Garrett has already scene his option picked up for the 2021 season. That’s expected to pay the Texas A&M product north of $15 million. Any new extension would obviously far outpace that total.
Myles Garrett and his stats tell us a story of a generational talent
Garrett, 24, has recorded 65 quarterback hits and 30.5 sacks in just 37 career games. Last season saw the Pro Bowler tally 18 quarterback hits and 10 sacks in as many games before being suspended. There’s little doubt that he’s right up there with Nick Bosa as the best young edge pass rusher in the entire NFL.
What might a Myles Garrett contract look like?
The expectation is that any new Garrett deal would outpace the $23.5 million Khalil Mack is earning with the Chicago Bears. The market at this position continues to reset itself on a near never-ending loop. That makes sense given the importance of edge rushers in today’s pass-happy NFL.
Something to the tune of $125 million over five seasons with more than half of that fully guaranteed seems to make sense for both Garrett and his Browns.
Whether this gets done ahead of the 2020 season due to the financial complexities amid the ongoing pandemic remains to be seen. If not, expect the two sides to continue the discussions next spring.