Contract talks are underway between the Browns and Myles Garrett, sources tell Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Browns don’t necessarily have to rush things since Garrett still has two years left on his rookie deal. However, if they’re able to lock up Garrett this summer, they could save a couple of dollars and avoid an even larger spike in the edge rusher market next year. 
[RELATED: Browns Offered Jadeveon Clowney $12MM/Year?]
Even though it was a trying season for the Browns, the former No. 1 overall pick was phenomenal last year – ten games, ten sacks. Of course, he didn’t get a chance to top his previous watermark of 13.5 sacks from the year prior. Garrett was banned from the field for his role in the ugly brawl against the Steelers, capping his season in the fall and his career sack total at 30.5 sacks, for the time being.
Now reinstated, Garrett is in position to dominate once again. And, at the moment, Garrett’s value might be somewhat depressed by the time he’s missed throughout his career. Between the delayed start to his rookie year and last year’s suspension, Garrett has appeared in just 37 regular season games over the past three years.
Still, Garrett is poised to become the league’s new financial kingpin at defensive end. Currently, Khalil Mack leads the way with an average fo $23.5MM per year, with DeMarcus Lawrence of the Cowboys ($21MM/year) and Frank Clark of the Chiefs ($20.8MM/year) closely trailing. Meanwhile, the Browns will also have to leave enough room to take care of other stars down the road, including quarterback Baker Mayfield, cornerback Denzel Ward, and running back Nick Chubb. Fortunately, they have plenty of cap space to work with right now. And, even if they allocate some of those dollars towards Jadeveon Clowney, they can offset the expense by shedding Olivier Vernon‘s non-guaranteed salary.
He’ll top the market with a 5 year/$125 million extension
Would have to think so. The guarantees will be the haggle.
And he probably takes issue with having a white QB on the team
Wow didn’t realize Baker Mayfield was a “ Star” in what ? Reality TV? He sure isn’t on the field , maybe his mouth.
Number one, you’re ignoring how much money other non-superstar quarterbacks get. Number two, expectations are way higher for him this year with an offense (and coach) that better suit him and a line that‘a more likely to keep him off the ground.
He’s also already two years into the league, so they’ll have to decide on his next contract (assuming he gets one) before too long. I don’t know if the article implied he’ll get a second contract as much as it just mentioned that a decision isn’t too far down the road.
i really do agree that we have to start looking harder at hiw good Baker really is. everyone anointed him a superstar as soon as he hit the NFL and he hasnt exactly lit the world on fire so far. sure he’s playing on the Browns, but that team’s roster isnt so bad that someone like Mahomes, Brady, or Brees would flounder there. Baker’s got talent, but he hasnt proved anything yet.
He was fantastic in his rookie year and struggled last year with a poor offensive line and the incompetence of Freddie Kitchens. The idea is that under Stefanski’s offense (which is a better fit for him and brought out the best in Kirk Cousins) will help.
It’s too soon to anoint him a superstar, but it’s too soon to act like he’s a bust either. The answer will probably come at the end of this season.
He was good in garbage time as a rookie
Then just became garbage himself when it really mattered