Jimmy Haslam Defends Browns’ Decision to Move On From Myles Garrett

The Browns owner Jimmy Haslam revealed that the ownership supported GM Andrew Berry's decision to trade Myles Garrett to the Rams.

Jimmy Haslam Defends Browns’ Decision to Move On From Myles Garrett

Myles Garrett (Image via IMAGO)

The Cleveland Browns’ owner, Jimmy Haslam, finally addressed the reason behind trading All-Pro edge Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. Haslam claimed it was general manager Andrew Berry’s call.

After an impressive 2024 season when Garrett led the league with 22 TFLs, he played hardball with the Browns by asking to be traded. The Browns eventually agreed to a four-year, $160 million extension with Garrett. The deal also included a staggering $123.5 million guaranteed money, most for any pass rusher in league history at that time.

However, just one year later, the Browns shocked the football world by accepting a trade offer from the Los Angeles Rams. The trade took place in June. Haslam avoided addressing the development until this Friday. Haslam told the media that it was GM Andrew Berry’s idea to make the trade. That said, the Browns ownership backed Berry’s judgment.

The [Los Angeles] Rams were a good partner there and kept it quiet. But, a decision like that, ownership is going to be involved, but it’s Andrew’s decision, Andrew’s recommendation — in this case, ownership left it there.

Jimmy Haslam said

The Rams sent two-time Pro Bowl edge Jared Verse to the Browns in the Garrett trade. Getting a player of Verse’s caliber who is still on a rookie deal was one of the reasons he green-lighted the trade. Additionally, the Browns received a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick.

Haslam noted that due to the infamous Deshaun Watson trade, the Browns had been devoid of draft capital for the last few years. Trading Garrett has balanced out the books.

I was thinking the other night — Jim [Brown], Joe Thomas, Myles Garrett — they’re all first-ballot Hall of Famers, world-class people, and so it was not an easy decision, but we’ve made it, we’re moving on and excited about Jared [Verse] and excited about those three draft picks.

Haslam said

The Browns drafted Garrett first overall in 2017. Garrett made 134 appearances for the AFC North franchise and recorded 412 tackles, 125.5 sacks, 149 TFLs, 18 passes defensed, 23 forced fumbles and six forced returns.

In 2025, Garrett broke Michael Strahan’s sack record. Garrett now holds the single-season sack record with 23.

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Jimmy Haslam’s father wasn’t very happy with him trading Myles Garrett to another team

After Garrett broke Strahan’s record, it was a no-brainer for AP to vote him the best defensive player of the year, his second DPOY award. Garrett wasn’t just another player for the Browns; he was a leader and a vocal voice in the locker room, which they would miss.

Jimmy Haslam Defends Browns’ Decision to Move On From Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett (Image via IMAGO)

Besides Garrett, the Haslam family made another blockbuster trade earlier in the year, but in a different sport. The Haslam family has owned a large stake in the NBA franchise the Milwaukee Bucks for a long time.

On July 6, the Bucks traded their star player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, to the Miami Heat in exchange for four players. Haslam’s 95ish-old father wasn’t exactly pleased with his son allowing a couple of players to leave in the same year.

My dad’s 95 and a half, but he still follows every sports move we make, and he called up after we traded Giannis and he goes, ‘Do you know that in the last month you’ve traded Myles [Garrett] and Giannis?’ And I said ‘yes, sir I know that.’

Haslam said with a weary smile

Trades are part of the business. Occasionally it becomes necessary to part ways with the team’s best player to make room for two or three new players or save some cap money.

Only the future will reveal whether Haslam made the right choices. For now, they can only prepare to face the music.

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