The Cleveland Browns just settled a contract controversy with a disgruntled superstar pass rusher in the spring. Yet, they are being linked to another potential superstar-caliber game-wrecking EDGE less than six months later.
After Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons requested a trade Friday, the Browns were named as a potential landing spot by Eric Edholm of NFL.com.
Of course, the Browns already have Myles Garrett playing EDGE, since the four-time All-Pro and 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year just signed long-term to a four-year, $160 million contract in March.
But Parsons could make a fascinating accompaniment to Garrett, even if for only one season.
Why Are The Browns A Match For Micah Parsons?
The Browns may seem like a curious fit, especially if they decide to pivot from collecting draft assets to dealing them to Dallas in an all-in-type move for Parsons.
Yet, according to Edholm, if the Browns decide to make a pass at Parsons, they suddenly have the draft capital to part with.
“It would make sense that any team trying to manifest a Parsons trade would have a lot of assets to dangle,” Edholm wrote. “Following the draft day trade involving Travis Hunter, the Browns own Jacksonville’s 2026 first-rounder and their own first. They have enough ammunition to make a major offer if they so choose.”
Rival clubs like the Washington Commanders have been linked to Parsons, but Cleveland is also benefited by the fact there is almost no bad blood between the Browns and ‘Boys.
“It also doesn’t hurt the Browns’ chances that they’re in the AFC and don’t play against the Cowboys often,” Edholm wrote.
The writer also suggested what many of us were thinking: that in the absence of even a passable offense — that could be led by a rookie quarterback in either Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel — the Browns could create a defense so dominant that they could disguise their sub-standard offense.
“For a team possibly turning to a young QB this year, or someone else next year, there’s justification for loading up on defense,” Edholm wrote. “A Parsons-Garrett pass-rush duo would also be borderline unfair, potentially one of the best pairings ever, and we know Garrett has been publicly supportive of Parsons’ pursuit for a new contract.
“It would be a fascinating, if unlikely, mode of rebuilding the Browns.”
Why Might The Browns Not Trade For Micah Parsons?
The Browns may have draft picks to part with, but the deal is borderline impossible from a financial perspective.
They have almost no salary-cap space, since they have both the fifth-most dead cap space in the NFL and quarterback Deshaun Watson’s fully guaranteed salary on IR.
Plus, Parsons is almost certain to ask for a Garrett-level contract extension — that end up being even bigger.
“The Browns’ salary cap situation isn’t ideal, still weighed down by Deshaun Watson’s contract and committed to paying Myles Garrett more than $123 million guaranteed over the next few years,” Edholm wrote. “That would be a lot to pay two defenders, with Parsons likely seeking a deal that will reset the market at his position.”
