Myles Garrett is staying with the Cleveland Browns after signing a historic contract extension this offseason, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Myles Garrett’s new four-year deal is worth $40 million per year. This comes after Garrett initially requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns, saying he wanted to compete for Super Bowls.
With Cleveland finishing 3-14 last season and struggling in recent years, many believed Garrett would leave to join a more immediate contender. That’s why fans were quick to point out the irony of Garrett’s extension when he accepted the massive contract, considering he had previously insisted his trade request wasn’t about money, but about championships.
While this deal is great for Garrett financially, it also means he will continue playing for a team with little Super Bowl potential, all while still facing off against one of the toughest quarterbacks he’s ever had to deal with in the NFL.
Myles Garrett struggles against Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
Garrett has openly admitted that Lamar Jackson is the hardest quarterback to sack in the NFL. Before the Browns’ Week 18 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in January 2025, he said:
“It’s not even close. There are definitely some other special cats at the quarterback position who are shifty. […] But he also has speed, he has quickness, is shifty, so he has that tremendous running ability, and he can also throw the ball pretty much anyone on the field right now.”
Garrett also acknowledged how difficult it is for the Browns to make plays against Jackson.
“The man’s amazing,” Garrett added. “A couple years back, you would say, ‘Try to keep him in the pocket.’ I think even beginning of the season we were like, ‘Try to keep him in pocket, make him throw as much as possible,’ and now you’re like, ‘we don’t know what to do.’
Garrett’s words proved accurate, as the Ravens dominated the Browns in that game with a 35-10 score. He couldn’t sack Jackson, while Cleveland’s quarterbacks were consistently pressured and sacked by Baltimore’s defense.
The last time Garret sacked Jackson was on Nov. 12, 2023 during the Browns’ 33-31 win in week 10 of the regular season.
The Browns closed out their 2024 season with a disappointing 3-14 record, though it did secure them the second overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Garrett and Jackson will face off at least twice in 2025
Since the Browns and Ravens are both in the AFC North, Garrett and Jackson will meet at least twice during the 2025 season.
Unless either of the two get injured, Garrett will get more chances to take down Jackson. If both teams make the playoffs and the seeding aligns, they could meet for a third time in the postseason.
Now, with the Ravens adding more strength to their offense—including DeAndre Hopkins going to Baltimore—Garrett’s challenge has only gotten tougher.