Browns GM: Myles Garrett contract tweak unrelated to a trade

Phoenix – Revised Language miles garrettThe contract is unrelated to a potential trade for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, cleveland browns general manager Andrew Berry said Sunday.

In the revised terms, first reported by ESPN’s Field Yates, the date to exercise the option bonus in Garrett’s contract was moved up from the 15th of each league year to seven days before the regular season each year. Those bonus payments were also modified in a way that benefited Garrett. The change would make a trade after June 1, in which the dead cap hit could be split between the 2026 and 2027 seasons, more palatable for Cleveland.

Berry did not explain the reason for the contract change but said it was not a precursor to a trade.

“If we had wanted to trade Miles, we would not have had to make a contract adjustment,” Berry said at the NFL’s annual meeting. “So this has nothing to do with it.”

Berry later said, “Miles is a career brown.” “He’s one of the faces of our organization. I think we’ve been very clear in terms of our feelings, both in the past and present. I understand all the questions. I’ll be honest, I don’t really want to waste a ton more on this topic.”

Garrett, 30, agreed to a four-year contract extension last March, ending an impasse with the Browns that began in February 2025 when he requested a trade from Cleveland. Berry said Sunday that he believes there is a good relationship between Garrett and the organization.

Garrett was named Defensive Player of the Year last month after setting the NFL’s single-season sack record with 23 last season. He also won the award in 2023, when he led the NFL with 33 tackles for loss. He is the ninth player to win multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards since they were first introduced in 1971 and the only active player to do so.