Shortly after Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns went public with his trade request ahead of Super Bowl LIX, at least one NFL analyst named the Washington Commanders as “the best candidate” to land the wantaway pass-rusher.
For a piece published Thursday morning, Commanders reporter John Keim of ESPN questioned “whether Washington will have enough to entice the Browns in a trade” regarding Garrett’s services this offseason.
“It’s uncertain what it would take, but some league sources have speculated it would take at least two first-round picks (and that also would depend on where those selections would be in the first round),” Keim said about the Browns possibly trading Garrett. “…Right now, the best the Commanders could offer is the 29th pick in this draft plus a first-rounder in 2026. Considering Washington played in the NFC Championship Game last season and has a top young talent at quarterback in [Jayden Daniels], a projected first-round pick next year — after acquiring Garrett — could be around the same spot.”
For what it’s worth, Browns general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski strongly indicated while speaking with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine this week that Cleveland won’t be trading Garrett anytime soon.
While Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand has poured cold water over the idea that the club can’t trade Garrett before June 1, it’s worth noting that the All-Pro likely will want to become the league’s highest-paid defensive player before he participates in another regular-season game.
“With Daniels on a rookie contract,” Keim added, “Washington could take advantage by not only trading for Garrett but also extending his contract, which expires after the 2026 season.”
That contract does not include a no-trade clause, meaning Garrett can’t do much to force his way to Washington other than convince that club’s front office to present Berry with a so-called “‘Godfather’ offer” this spring or summer.
The fact that the Detroit Lions seem to have taken themselves out of the Garrett sweepstakes could be good news for the Commanders as it pertains to a potential bidding war, but it appears the 29-year-old may have to make things uncomfortable for his current employer if he’s serious about joining an advertised championship contender this offseason.
