Cashing in

5-year, $125M extension makes him league’s highest-paid defensive player

Cleveland makes Myles Garrett the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player.

Myles Garrett’s on-field misbehavior last season damaged his public image. It didn’t change how the Cleveland Browns feel about him.

The team signed Garrett to a five-year, $125 million contract extension on Wednesday, making the talented edge rusher the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player. The deal includes $100 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network.

The timing of Garrett’s extension is surprising since the last time he played in a game it ended with him ripping off Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph’s helmet and striking him in the head with it.

The shocking attack led to a six-game suspension for Garrett and questions about his character.

But despite a league ban that effectively ended Cleveland’s playoff hopes, the Browns have never wavered in their belief in Garrett as a person or player.

The 24-year-old will anchor their defense through the 2026 season.

Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will play the 2020 season on the franchise tag, worth a guaranteed $31.4 million. Not only did Prescott and the Cowboys fail to get a long-term deal done before Wednesday’s deadline, but they also didn’t even talk in the days and hours leading up to it.

What it means immediately is that Prescott will report and play the season with the highest one-year salary in franchise history. The two sides can’t resume negotiations until after the season.

What it means as far as Prescott and the team’s longstated goal of coming to terms on a long-term deal to keep him in Dallas for years to come is anybody’s guess at this point.

Prescott’s asking price surely will go up befoe the 2021 season

Steelers

Pass-rusher Bud Dupree is set to play on a one-year deal he signed in Apri under the franchise tag. Dupree, whose agent, Todd France of CAA Sports, was not immediately available for comment, filed a grievance to be paid as a defensive end ($17.78 million) after recording 11.5 sacks last season rather than as a linebacker ($15.8 million).

Titans

The Tennessee Titans have agreed to a new contract with Derrick Henry, keeping the NFL rushing leader around and not playing under the franchise tag before the league deadline for an extension. The team announced the deal, saying only that it was a “multiyear extension.” Henry reportedly received a fouryear deal for $50 million with $25.5 million guaranteed, according to ESPN.com.

Bills

New Era Field will no longer be the name of Buffalo’s stadium, after the global sports headware and clothing apparel company asked to be released from its naming rights and sponsorship agreement.