The NFL’s most seismic offseason trade reshaped the league’s power structure this week, as Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time sack leader, left the Cleveland Browns for the Los Angeles Rams in a deal so lopsided it could redefine the AFC and NFC. The Rams sent Jared Verse, a rising pass rusher and first-round pick from 2024, plus three future draft picks (2027 first, 2028 second, 2029 third), to Cleveland—a haul that instantly vaulted the Browns from cellar-dwellers to contenders. Garrett’s arrival in Los Angeles, where Sean McVay has long coveted him, now forces the 49ers and other NFC teams to adjust their offensive schemes overnight, with San Francisco’s offensive line coach already calling Garrett an “all-time great” who presents a “good challenge.”
Why the Rams’ Trade Is a League-Altering Earthquake
The trade wasn’t just about Garrett’s talent—it was about the Rams’ willingness to gamble on the future. McVay, who has built his dynasty around defensive dominance, has long viewed Garrett as the missing piece to a pass rush that already features Aaron Donald’s successor, K.J. Wright. The Browns, meanwhile, traded away a player who had dominated the AFC North for years, clearing a path for Jared Verse—a player who, despite his potential, lacks Garrett’s immediate impact. The deal also gives Cleveland three high-value picks in the next three years, a windfall that could accelerate their rebuild.
But the real seismic shift? Garrett’s move from the AFC to the NFC. For the first time in years, the AFC North’s pass rush is no longer anchored by a single dominant force. The Browns’ defense, already porous, now faces an uphill climb to replace Garrett’s 13 sacks and 20 quarterback hits from 2025. Meanwhile, the Rams’ defense—already one of the league’s most feared—just added a player who could push them into Aaron Donald-level territory.
As one high-ranking team source told The New York Times, the trade’s magnitude was so vast it felt “unbelievable” even days before it was finalized. “This is gonna break the NFL,” the source said, capturing the moment’s historic weight.
The 49ers’ Sudden Problem: How to Stop Garrett
The 49ers, who will face the Rams in Week 1 of the 2026 season, now have a new priority: figuring out how to stop Garrett. The team’s offensive line coach, Chris Foerster, admitted the trade caught them off guard, forcing a rapid reassessment of their protection schemes. “I just wanted to remind myself because it kind of came out of left field,” Foerster said, referencing Garrett’s dominance in their 2025 matchup, where he recorded a sack and three quarterback hits despite the 49ers’ offensive line having a plan.
Foerster’s comments reveal the challenge Garrett poses: he’s not just a pass rusher—he’s a chess piece who forces offenses to dedicate multiple blockers to him. According to Pro Football Focus, Garrett’s double-team rate on pass rush snaps was nearly 60 percent in 2025, the second-highest in the league. That means every time an offense sees him, they must commit two linemen to neutralize him, leaving other gaps vulnerable.
“He’s an outstanding football player, and he’s going to be a challenge for us to take care of,” Foerster said. “But we had a plan last year. You’re going to do the best you can, and everybody has good players, and he’s a great player.” The 49ers’ offensive line, already one of the NFL’s best, will now need to adapt to a new level of pressure.
The Rams’ offense, meanwhile, will benefit from Garrett’s arrival in ways beyond just sacks. His presence will force offenses to shift their protection schemes, creating opportunities for other Rams pass rushers like K.J. Wright and Robert Quinn. The Rams’ defense, already elite, just became even more unpredictable.
AFC North in Chaos: Who Wins, Who Loses?
The AFC North’s power structure has been upended. The Browns, who finished 5-12 in 2025, now have a chance to compete in the short term thanks to Verse and their future draft capital. But the immediate impact is on the division’s other teams. The Bengals, who have struggled with a porous defense, saw little change in their fortunes—though star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase made it clear he didn’t care much about Garrett’s departure.
“Good for us. I don’t really care, but good for us,” Chase told reporters, summing up the Bengals’ sentiment. His teammate, Tee Higgins, echoed the sentiment: “Good deal, but happy for him.” The Bengals’ offense remains their strength, and with Garrett gone, their defense may finally have a chance to improve.
The Steelers, meanwhile, remain the division’s clear favorites. Their defense, led by T.J. Watt and DeMarvin Leal, is already one of the league’s best, and they won’t miss Garrett’s absence as much as the Browns will.
What’s Next: The Ravens’ Perspective—and the NFL’s Future
While the Rams and Browns dominated headlines, the trade’s ripple effects extend to Baltimore, where the Ravens’ defense—already one of the NFL’s most versatile—will now face a new challenge in 2026. The Ravens’ pass rush, which struggled in 2025, may finally get a boost from the arrival of new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. But with Garrett gone, the Ravens’ defense will need to rely even more on players like Patrick Queen and Brandon Williams to step up.
Meanwhile, the Ravens’ offense, led by Lamar Jackson and a revamped roster, will benefit from not having to game-plan against Garrett. But the bigger story is how this trade sets the stage for the NFL’s future. The Rams’ willingness to trade a young star like Verse for Garrett signals a shift in how teams value immediate impact over long-term potential. The Browns’ haul of future picks suggests they’re betting on a rebuild that could pay off in the next three years.
The Ravens’ roster, as highlighted by their own analysis, includes players like Justin Hamilton, a defensive Swiss Army knife, and rookie wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt. But with Garrett’s departure, the Ravens’ defense will need to adapt quickly. The trade also raises questions about the AFC’s future: without Garrett, who will step up to lead the division’s pass rush?
The Long-Term Impact: Who Benefits Most?
The Rams’ defense is now a juggernaut. With Garrett, K.J. Wright, and Robert Quinn, they have three elite pass rushers who can dominate any offensive line. The Rams’ offense, already one of the best in the NFL, will now have even more time to develop plays, knowing their defense will clean up.
The Browns, meanwhile, have a chance to become relevant in the short term. Verse is a rising star, and their draft picks give them flexibility to build around him. But the real question is whether they can replace Garrett’s immediate impact.
The 49ers, who will face the Rams in Week 1, now have a new priority: stopping Garrett. Their offensive line, already one of the best in the league, will need to adapt quickly. If they can’t, the Rams’ defense could become even more dominant.
The AFC North’s future is now in flux. The Browns’ trade of Garrett for future picks was a bold move, one that could pay off in the next few years. But for now, the AFC’s pass rush is weaker without him. The Rams, meanwhile, have just added a player who could push them into Super Bowl contention.
One thing is clear: the NFL’s power structure has shifted. The Rams are now the team to beat, and the AFC’s defenses will need to find new ways to stop them.
As for Garrett? He’s now part of a Rams defense that could be the most feared in the NFL. His arrival in Los Angeles wasn’t just a trade—it was a statement. And the rest of the league is taking notice.
