In what might go down as the most impactful pass rusher move since Reggie White signed with the Green Bay Packers, NFL sack leader Myles Garrett was traded to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday. But the longtime Browns standout had a strong message for Cleveland on his way out.
Taking to X on Monday night, Garrett offered his thanks to everyone in Cleveland for making his nine years with the team truly special.
“Nine years.
“It’s hard to put into words what that really means when so much of your life has been shaped in one place, around one team, and with one community behind you.
“From my very first play, you embraced me, and I wanted to help bring winning back to a city whose loyalty, resilience, and belief never wavered. What I didn’t fully understand then was how much this city would shape me.
“Cleveland made me tougher. You challenged me. You taught me about perseverance, about showing up even when things aren’t easy, and what loyalty really looks like. Through the highs, lows, setbacks, injuries, expectations, inclement weather, and difficult seasons, you all kept showing up. I never took that for granted.
“To the Dawg Pound: Thank you for embracing my family and [me] from Day 1. Thank you for every packed stadium, every moment of belief, every kid wearing my jersey, every message, every criticism, every expectation. I respected that then and I respect it now. I wish I could have done more for you.
© Ken Blaze-Imagn Images.
“To the Haslam family, my teammates, coaches, training staff, front office, and everyone inside the building in Berea: Thank you. Football is the ultimate team sport, and I’ll always be grateful for the brothers I went to battle with and the people behind the scenes who pour themselves into this organization every single day.
“To Northeast Ohio: Thank you for allowing me to be part of this community beyond football. Through school visits, foundation work, events, and simply living life here, I saw firsthand the heart of this place. No matter where life or football takes me, this will always be a place I’m proud to call home.
“What I can say with complete honesty is this: I gave this city everything I had. I suited up and wore those colors with pride, and I don’t regret a second of being part of this storied franchise. Every Sunday. Every offseason. Every play. Every down. Every moment. You gave me more in return than I can ever repay.
“The best days for this franchise are ahead. Thank you for letting me grow here. Thank you for believing in me.
“Loving you is easy. Leaving you is the hard part.
“Thank you for nine unforgettable years.”
Onwards to Los Angeles
The Rams paid a premium price to bring Garrett into the fold. They gave up star edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick.
In return, the Rams are getting a perennial All-Pro pass rusher who is fresh off a record-breaking 23-sack season and his second NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Rams are clearly all-in on the 2026 season and if they go on to win the Super Bowl, three high draft picks could wind up being the bargain of the century.
