Browns star Myles Garrett is currently the highest paid defender in the league.
Myles Garrett is the highest-paid defender in the NFL, but the powerful Cleveland Browns pass-rusher may not hold that title by the time the season rolls around.
Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million extension this offseason, linking him to the Browns through the 2030 season. The $40 million he’ll haul in annually makes him the highest-paid defender in the league.
However, several high-profile pass-rushers across the league are seeking new deals, including a major name within the division. Steelers star T.J. Watt is among those in line for a potential extension and is widely expected to surpass Garrett’s mark if he inks a new contract with Pittsburgh.
“I’m hearing there’s a chance Watt gets past $40 [million per season],” Bleacher Report’s James Palmer said. “He has every right to ask for it. I’ve talked on here a lot about the comparisons between him and Myles Garrett. The numbers are almost identical in every aspect in terms of superlatives and in terms of numbers, and they came in the same draft class. I mean, he has every right to try to get that.”
Garrett and Watt both entered the NFL as part of the 2017 draft class — Garrett as the No. 1 overall pick to the Browns, and Watt going 30th to the Steelers. Since then, they’ve emerged as two of the league’s most dominant defensive forces, each earning a Defensive Player of the Year award.
Watt has tallied 108 sacks in 121 career games, while Garrett is close behind with 102.5 sacks in just 117 games.
Another star defender in line for a lucrative deal is Dallas Cowboys edge Micah Parsons. He’s entering the final year of his rookie deal and is expected to ink an extension prior to the start of the season.
Garrett and Parsons trained together this offseason. Recently, Garrett pushed for Parsons to get paid.
Myles Garrett’s contract set the market for non-quarterbacks.
I asked him what he thinks Micah Parsons deserves from the Dallas Cowboys:
“I think he deserves whatever he’s earned. Once I got the chance to train with him. I’ve seen his work ethic. I’ve seen how he attacks. The
“I think he deserves whatever he’s earned,” Garrett told Abby Jones of DLLS Sports. “I mean, the guy is special. Once I got the chance to train with him, I’ve seen his work ethic, I’ve seen how he attacks the weights, running. He’s 100% committed to his craft and getting better every day, and someone who produces on the field and has that dedication to the game. He should get every penny he’s owed.”
Garrett’s new contract came after a trade demand, which took a few months to sort out. Garrett said he wanted to play for a contender but the Browns were unwilling to move him.
Now that he’s locked in for the foreseeable future, Garrett is looking forward to putting up some more big numbers in a Browns uniform.
“I look forward to having my best season for sure, and I think it’s trending that way. Been really good, and I think everything’s pointed in that direction,” Garrett said. “And I like where we are as a defensive unit. It’s really firing, really rolling, and I think it’s really clicking as far as the scheme and the plays, especially early on. That’s big.”
Garrett and the rest of the Browns will report for training camp on July 22.
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