Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has made his stance clear—he wants out. And despite the team’s reluctance to part ways with one of the best pass rushers in the league, an intriguing opportunity may be on the table: package Garrett with quarterback Deshaun Watson in what could be one of the most complex trades in NFL history.
The Browns’ Dilemma: One Trade, Two Problems
Garrett’s trade demand puts Browns owner Jimmy Haslam in a tough spot. Losing an elite defensive player would be a massive setback, but there’s a way to soften the blow: attaching Watson’s contract to the deal.
Watson is still owed $92 million on his five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract. Offloading that money would be a financial relief for the Browns, even if it means sacrificing some return in draft capital for Garrett. The precedent for this kind of deal exists—the Browns themselves took on Brock Osweiler’s contract in 2017, absorbing $16 million in guaranteed salary to acquire a second-round pick.
But this time, the stakes are much higher. Watson is unlikely to play in 2025 after surgery on his re-torn Achilles, meaning any team that takes on his contract would essentially be burning cap space for at least a season.
Which Teams Could Afford This Move?
Few contenders have the financial flexibility to absorb Watson’s deal. But for teams on the cusp of a Super Bowl run, Garrett’s presence could be the missing piece.
- Washington Commanders – They have significant cap space in 2025 and could make the numbers work.
- Los Angeles Chargers – With their young core, they might be willing to take on Watson’s contract to add a dominant pass rusher.
- Minnesota Vikings – Already planning for J.J. McCarthy’s low-cost rookie contract, they could justify the financial hit.
- Detroit Lions – A team with championship aspirations that might see Garrett as the final piece to a defensive puzzle.
Any of these teams would need to convince their ownership and fan base that the Watson portion of the deal is a business decision—one that could be mitigated by releasing him immediately.
How Watson’s No-Trade Clause Factors In
Watson holds a no-trade clause, meaning he would need to approve any move. However, considering his situation in Cleveland, agreeing to a trade could be his best path forward. If he still receives his full salary and gets an early shot at free agency in 2026, he has little reason to refuse.
A team acquiring both Garrett and Watson would likely structure the trade in a way that minimizes long-term financial pain. That could mean negotiating with the Browns to eat some of Watson’s remaining money, which in turn would impact the draft compensation Cleveland receives in return.
Will the Browns Finally Admit Their Mistake?
If Cleveland moves forward with this idea, it would signal a hard admission that the Watson trade was a disaster—perhaps the worst salary-cap move in NFL history. The Browns gave up three first-round picks to acquire Watson from Houston, then handed him a fully guaranteed contract. The result? A quarterback who has played just 12 games for the franchise and now faces an uncertain future.
Cleveland might not want to face that reality. But Garrett’s demand could force them to rethink their approach. If they truly believe his departure is inevitable, using it as an opportunity to clean up their financial mess could be the smartest play.
