Bengals’ Joe Flacco says “Good for us” as Myles Garrett leaves the division

The Los Angeles Rams acquired three-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns on Monday, sending shockwaves through the NFL. In exchange for the star pass rusher, Cleveland received Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-rounder, and a 2029 third-rounder to complete the blockbuster deal.

The Mechanics of a Seismic NFL Trade

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The transaction, finalized on June 1, 2026, represents the culmination of months of negotiation that began in late March. According to The New York Times, the agreement hinged on a complex set of variables, including Cleveland’s shifting team-building strategy, Garrett’s own contract adjustments, and the Rams’ willingness to part with Jared Verse, a promising third-year pass rusher selected in the 2024 draft. For the Rams, the acquisition is the realization of a long-standing pursuit. Head coach Sean McVay has openly admired Garrett for years, at one point famously telling the defensive end after a 2023 contest, “I didn’t f—ing sleep all week because of you.” The move mirrors the defensive philosophy that brought the team success with Aaron Donald, as the Rams believe Garrett’s presence will force opposing offenses into predictable patterns. During the previous season, Garrett commanded a double-team rate of nearly 60 percent, a pressure-inducing statistic that made him the second-most blocked defensive lineman in the league.

A Historic Pairing of MVP and Defensive Talent

With Garrett arriving in Los Angeles to join reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford, the 2026 Rams have secured a roster composition rarely seen in professional football. NBC Sports reports that the Rams are the first team in NFL history to simultaneously roster the reigning league MVP at quarterback and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. While other franchises have attempted to stack elite talent, the history of these specific awards is remarkably narrow. In 1971, Vikings defensive lineman Alan Page won both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards, and in 1986, Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor achieved the same double. The 1994 49ers featured both Steve Young and Deion Sanders, but the roster was dismantled before the following season. By securing both current titleholders, the Rams have cemented their status as the overwhelming favorites to win the Super Bowl in the upcoming campaign.

Divisional Reaction and the Bengals’ Outlook

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Joe Flacco and Cincinnati’s Perspective

For AFC North rivals, Garrett’s departure is being viewed as a significant competitive shift. Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco, who has both played alongside Garrett in Cleveland and faced him as an opponent, offered a blunt assessment of the trade. “Good for us,” Flacco remarked, as reported by NBC Sports. The sentiment within the Bengals’ locker room was one of professional respect mixed with relief. Offensive tackle Amarius Mims acknowledged the gravity of the move, noting that the news rippled through the team quickly. “I’m pretty sure anybody practicing today at the time we were practicing, no matter what it was, I assure you every team got a hold of that news,” Mims said. “It’s huge when you get a guy like Myles Garrett, a future Hall of Famer. It’s going to be a buzz. Congrats to those guys.” Despite the strategic benefit of facing the Browns without Garrett, fellow tackle Orlando Brown Jr. emphasized the need for focus. “It doesn’t matter. You still have to go win on Sundays. Congrats to Myles. That’s how I feel. We still have to go win,” Brown said.

The Stakes of the 2026 Season

The trade carries immense weight for both organizations. For Cleveland, the haul of draft capital indicates a transition toward a younger core, while the Rams are clearly operating within a “win-now” window. The deal was described by one high-ranking team source as a move that “is gonna break the NFL,” a reflection of the sheer impact of adding a player of Garrett’s caliber to an already potent Los Angeles squad. As the league prepares for the 2026 season, the question remains whether the Rams’ aggressive accumulation of star power will result in a championship. With the trade now official, the pressure shifts from the front office to the field, where the Rams must integrate their new defensive anchor before the regular season kicks off. For the Browns, the challenge will be utilizing their newly acquired draft assets to rebuild a defensive front that has lost one of the most dominant players in the modern era.