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Myles Garrett trade talk: top three landing spots for the star pass rusher
Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, sent shockwaves through the NFL when he requested a trade on Monday.
The 29-year-old future hall-of-fame defensive end has enjoyed eight incredibly productive years with the Cleveland Browns but cited Super Bowl aspirations as his motivation for wanting to leave.
While every NFL team would benefit from adding Garrett to their roster, few could afford to take on his ~$20 million cap hit over the next two years. Even fewer could afford to give Garrett the blockbuster long-term extension such players often seek following a trade.
DAZN News explores the top three realistic landing spots for Garrett:
Washington Commanders
The Commanders enjoyed an incredible resurgence in 2024, and Garrett may be interested in joining a talented young team which should remain in Super Bowl contention for years.
Despite the Commanders' recent success, they must prioritise upgrading a weak group of pass rushers comprising Dante Fowler and Clelin Ferrell, who are set to become free agents.
Pairing Garrett with Dorance Armstrong, who enjoyed a career year, would create a fearsome pass-rush duo.
The Commanders will have $82.4 million in cap space in 2025, placing them among the few teams that could afford to acquire an elite talent like Garrett without significantly comprising other roster needs.
Detroit Lions
The Lions endured several injuries in 2024, but they still secured the number one seed in the NFC after finishing with a 15-2 record.
The most notable long-term absence was Aidan Hutchinson, arguably the best young pass rusher in the NFL, who suffered a season-ending injury only six weeks into the season.
A Lions defensive line comprising Garrett and a healthy Hutchinson would immediately become one of the best in the league.
The Lions are projected to have $57 million in cap space next season, and even if they sign cornerback Carlton Davis to an extension, as expected, they will have the resources to sign Garrett.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have more pressing needs at cornerback, but bolstering their edge group will remain a priority if they do not sign Khalil Mack to an extension.
Mack has led the Bolts in sacks every year since 2021 but pondered retirement before reportedly deciding to return in 2025.
Chargers' general manager Joe Horitz may prefer to allow Mack to test free agency and spend the money on Garrett instead.
Such a move would require spending a significant proportion of the Chargers' $64.7 million cap space, but it would greatly improve the team's chances of postseason success in 2025.
Other teams linked and why they aren't listed above
Chicago Bears
The Bears have ample cap space, but general manager Ryan Poles must first prioritise upgrading their offensive line.
Crucially, while the Bears will likely improve on their 5-12 record next season, they are still many years away from giving Garrett the Super Bowl success he desperately craves.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are desperate for pass rush help after finishing 31st in the league in team sacks but have too many other roster needs and too little cap space.
San Francisco 49ers
Pairing Garrett with Nick Bosa would go a long way to giving the 49ers the pass rush talent they need to become Super Bowl contenders.
The 49ers have $50.4 million cap space in 2025, but they must replace or extend several starters whose contracts expire in 2025.
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