It’s a deal that Garrett evidently decided was worth the pain to remain with the lowly Browns. Going from ring chaser to bag chaser will net Garrett $123 million in guaranteed money on his new deal, which will ultimately result in the star pass rusher earning $40 million AAV. It’s a record deal for Garrett, who becomes the highest-paid non-QB in league history, and will now be under contract with the Browns through the 2030 season. Garrett, a four-time All-Pro and future hall of famer who has amassed 102.5 sacks in 117 career games, appeared entrenched in his desire to be traded to a contender after the Browns went 3-14 last season, but the Browns went above and beyond to appease him with this new deal, including a no-trade clause. Garrett’s new deal will be music to the ears of players like Ja’Marr Chase and Micah Parsons, who are both younger than Garrett and also in search of top-of-the-market contracts that may now have a chance to surpass the one the Browns dished out.

Things are getting good, here. Garrett reportedly discussed a meeting with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, only for Haslam to decline to speak with the All-Pro pass rusher. Garrett is dug in on his desire to be traded, while the Browns “from ownership to GM to coach,” per Pelissero, are dug in on not trading him. The Browns have floated the possibility of extending Garrett with a big contract to satisfy him for the foreseeable future, but Garrett’s focus seems to be solely on winning a championship that doesn’t appear to be anywhere in the Browns’ near future. How this ultimately plays out is anybody’s guess, but a split between the two sides feels increasingly likely.

It’s hardly a surprise. The Browns have insisted from the start that they would not honor Garrett’s trade request. Fowler adds that any teams who have called to inquire about his availability have received “an emphatic” no from the Browns, while noting that they haven’t fielded too many calls for the star pass rusher. ESPN’s Dan Graziano also points out in the article that the Browns may not feel compelled to trade Garrett until “they become convinced he won’t play for them” while pointing out the Bills and Eagles as two teams who could aggressively pursue him. In the same way the Browns appear entrenched on not trading Garrett, he appears equally committed to playing for a contender in 2025. It’s safe to say this situation is far from resolved, and may stretch into the summer at this rate.

Russini, citing sources, was told the Eagles’ interest in Garrett is real and passes along a quote from a rival GM who wonders if Garrett is this offseason’s Saquon Barkley for Howie Roseman. The path to Philadelphia making this happen could be challenging, however. The Eagles have a list of key free agents they’d like to keep including Zack Baun, Josh Sweat, Milton Williams and Mekhi Becton. Philadelphia is 20th in the league with a little less than $18 million in cap space, according to spotrac. The Browns aren’t currently listening to trade offers for Garrett, though Russini believes there could be movement before the NFL Draft if the team changes its mind.