Cleveland Browns Trade Pitch Swaps Myles Garrett to NFC for Outrageous Draft Haul
The Cleveland Browns have been adamant that there is no Myles Garrett trade coming, but potential godfather offers so insane could be coming down the pike that the Browns would have to consider them.
No deal, or real conversation, is going to happen until the offseason. However, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report on Tuesday, November 18 put together a handful of trade proposals that would no doubt catch the Browns’ collective eye. Perhaps the most intriguing, and the realest, involves a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles that sends Cleveland first-round picks in 2026, 2027 and 2029.
“According to Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson, the Eagles were reportedly willing to give as many as three first-round picks up for Garrett at the trade deadline,” Kay wrote. “After rating as the league’s top total defense in 2024, Philly has fallen to the middle of the pack in that category. The club also took a step back in sacks and has accumulated a lowly 21 across the first 10 games of 2025. If the Eagles continue to struggle and crash out of the playoffs early, Garrett would be the perfect addition to help this squad return to prominence in 2026.”
Browns Likely to Draft Quarterback Next Offseason
Philadelphia is going to be picking late in the first round next April and probably in 2027 as well. Still, first-round picks of any sort are incredibly valuable, particularly to a team like the Browns that is already in the middle of a successful youth movement that began by drafting seven rookies in 2025, five of whom are already in the starting lineup on a regular basis.
Cleveland has already amassed two first-round picks in 2026, its own and one it got from the Jacksonville Jaguars via a trade. Adding a third will unquestionably position the Browns to land a top quarterback in a much stronger class at the position next year than the one in 2025 — from which the team selected two signal-callers.
Dillon Gabriel has gotten six starts and has been underwhelming. Shedeur Sanders filled in for Gabriel during the second half of last weekend’s game against the Baltimore Ravens to disastrous results. There is still time for each player to flip the script, but all signs point to Cleveland needing a rookie QB next spring.
Myles Garrett’s Timeline Doesn’t Sync Up With Browns’ Rebuild
Flipping Garrett makes some sense considering he is approaching his 30th birthday and just signed a massive $160 million extension that keeps him under contract through 2030. Garrett is a surefire Hall of Fame player when he’s finished in the NFL, but his timeline doesn’t appear to fit Cleveland’s.
Even if the Browns hit on a QB next spring, the best-case scenario is probably contention in 2027 once Deshaun Watson’s albatross of a contract is off the books (for the most part) and the rookie classes of 2025 and 2026 have real experience on their resumés.
The Washington Commanders found success immediately with Jayden Daniels last season but fell off a cliff this year. A better model to examine might be the New England Patriots, who appear to have built a more sustainable, not to mention younger, roster around second-year QB Drake Maye that looks like it should have real staying power.
If the Browns can turn Garrett into three first-round picks in their early 20s and playing on rookie deals, then divide the rest of his salary up to round out the roster in free agency, that is something the front office has to seriously consider.
Mike Tomlin Reacts to Possibility Steelers Replace Darius Slay With Ex-Undrafted CB
The Pittsburgh Steelers secondary has undergone quite the transformation to begin November. The team has made several changes to the unit, including at both starting safety spots. Another key factor to the improvement in Week 11 was the strong performance from cornerback James Pierre, who replaced an injured Darius Slay in the starting lineup.
Against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Pierre posted six combined tackles, two pass defenses and a fumble recovery. Pierre returned the fumble for a touchdown.
However, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin dismissed the idea that Pierre is about to take Slay’s job.
“[Slay] steps back in and plays,” Tomlin said Tuesday when asked whether Slay would retain his starting role. “We’re certainly going to continue to play James. He’s deserving of that. But if healthy, Slay is going to play.”
Slay has struggled at times this season. The 34-year-old is two years removed from his last Pro Bowl campaign.
A former 2020 undrafted free agent, Pierre is arguably coming off the best two games of his career. In Week 10, he registered five combined tackles and two pass defenses against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Slay exited that game and didn’t play Sunday because of a concussion. Tomlin, though, sounded optimistic Tuesday that Slay would be available for the Chicago Bears matchup on November 23.
James Pierre Emerging as Quality CB Option for Steelers
Although he was an undrafted free agent during the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it very difficult for undrafted players to earn roster spots, Pierre has managed to stay around the Steelers for six seasons. He’s been on and off the team’s roster and practice squad over the years.
Sunday marked the sixth time Pierre has dressed for at least 10 contests in an NFL season. Barring injury, he could be on the Steelers roster for 15 games for a sixth season as well.
In those 10 contests this year, Pierre hasn’t played a high volume of defensive snaps. He has averaged 17.5 defensive snaps per game.
But according to Pro Football Focus, Pierre is Pittsburgh’s top performing defender this season. He’s earned a 90.9 overall grade, which is slightly higher than edge rusher Nick Herbig and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward.
Pierre has shined the most in coverage, which is what the Steelers were sorely lacking from their cornerbacks in October. Pierre has posted a 90.7 PFF coverage grade this season.
Slay has submitted a 57.2 overall grade and 57.9 coverage grade at PFF.
Those grades have to be taken with a grain of salt. However, it’s rather clear that, in his small sample, Pierre has outperformed Slay, who is playing a large amount of snaps as a starter.
Steelers to Stick With Darius Slay in Starting Lineup
Tomlin was clear to reporters Tuesday that Pierre has earned more playing time. But the Steelers head coach also reminded reporters why Pierre is considered a bench player.
“He’s done a nice job, but again, usually when you’re a backup man, you get targets, and so when you get targets, you generally get breakups,” said Tomlin on why Pierre is second on the team in pass deflections.
“We have not been displeased with his efforts. We’ve been quite pleased with his efforts. We’re certainly interested in continuing to use him as we move forward.”
Slay only has three pass deflections this season despite playing 303 more defensive snaps than Pierre. But clearly, Tomlin is opting to stay with the more proven player as one of the team’s starting cornerbacks.
Slay has earned six Pro Bowl nods and one first-team All-Pro nomination in his 13-year NFL career. Last season, Slay started for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Pierre is a career backup on a hot streak. That’s not good enough to replace Slay, according to Tomlin.
