Hold onto your hats, football fans, because this NFL offseason just took a dramatic turn. Myles Garrett, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and cornerstone of the Cleveland Browns defense, has reportedly requested a trade. As the news sends shockwaves through the league, one potential landing spot stands out – the Arizona Cardinals. Let’s dive into why this move makes sense for both parties involved.
Arizona Cardinals’ Cap Situation
First up, let’s talk financials. The Arizona Cardinals are sitting pretty with the fourth most cap space heading into 2025, boasting a hefty $71 million. Bringing Garrett on board would require some financial gymnastics, but with numbers like those, Arizona is in a great position to rework or extend Garrett’s contract. Given that top-tier talents like Nick Bosa command around $34 million a year, this is no simple undertaking, and the price tag will naturally limit potential suitors to teams like the Cardinals who have room to maneuver.
Draft Capital Considerations
Next, we tackle the draft capital. The Cardinals only have six picks in this year’s NFL draft, making any potential deal dicey. A trade featuring a player of Garrett’s caliber would require significant compensation, likely starting with a first-round selection in 2025 and another in 2026. If I’m strategizing as the Browns’ GM, I’d push for something like Arizona’s Pick 1.16 and Pick 2.47 in 2025, plus a key player – maybe Jonah Williams at RT or TE Trey McBride.
Why Arizona Makes This Deal
For Arizona, this trade isn’t just about adding another Pro Bowler to the roster; it’s about shifting into a win-now mentality. Look back at head coach Jonathon Gannon’s time in Philadelphia, orchestrating a 70-sack season. With a talent like Garrett on his squad, Gannon could recreate some of that magic in the desert. Arizona’s defense ranked 13th in sacks last season with 41, spread out across the roster. Garrett’s potential impact is game-changing, given his history of double-digit sack seasons.
Garrett’s desire for a “win-now” environment amplifies Arizona’s existing ambitions. By maximizing their cap space and putting Garrett in the driver’s seat of their defensive unit, the Cardinals could leap straight into contender status within the NFC, which, let’s face it, is relatively wide-open right now.
Why Cleveland Would Look to Arizona
From the Browns’ perspective, moving Garrett to an NFC team like the Cardinals ensures they won’t have to contend with his otherworldly pass-rushing skills multiple times a year. It’s a decision heavily soaked in strategy, ensuring any meeting with Garrett would be less frequent, thus minimizing the chances of facing the havoc he can wreak on the field.
While it marks a bittersweet potential farewell to Garrett’s era in Cleveland, the franchise that lands this defensive juggernaut will instantly elevate their championship aspirations. Keep your eyes peeled; the landscape of the NFL could be shifting faster than a Garrett bull-rush.