Rams general manager Les Snead was worried. After more than a month of negotiations with the Cleveland Browns to acquire defensive end Myles Garrett, Snead had one lingering fear: that Garrett himself would say no.
Garrett had a no-trade clause in the four-year extension he signed with the Browns in March 2025. To make the deal happen, he had to waive it. Snead and the Rams had already reluctantly agreed to include rising star Jared Verse in the trade package. But the final decision rested with Garrett.
Garrett learned about the potential trade about a week before it was finalized. After nine elite seasons in Cleveland-seven Pro Bowls, an NFL-record 23 sacks in 2025, and two Defensive Player of the Year awards-he had earned the right to choose his destination. He had requested a trade once before, after the 2024 season, before re-signing. Now, the opportunity was real.
"It was a surprise, it was a bit of excitement," Garrett said. "Being in LA, I have a lot of roots here. And knowing that there's a winning culture, and great teammates and great coaches here, I was definitely looking forward to the opportunity."
Garrett had only been to the playoffs twice in nine years with the Browns. The chance for an immediate deep postseason run and a Super Bowl experience in Los Angeles was too compelling to pass up.
"To be a winner now, to have an opportunity to do that immediately, that was ultimately too difficult to pass up," he said.
After deliberation and self-reflection, he waived the clause. The Rams officially announced the trade on Monday. Snead's long wait was over.