< Myles Garrett
signs a five-year, $125 million extension with the Cleveland Browns. He is now the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player.
— Myles Garrett's onfield misbehavior last season damaged his public image. It didn't change how the Cleveland Browns feel about him.
The team signed Garrett to a fiveyear, $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 Pittsburgh 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. They wanted to make certain they'll have the 24-yearold for multiple years, and he will now anchor their defense through the 2026 season.
“It would be remiss of me not to address the fact that we are choosing to do this after a season during which Myles was suspended,” said Browns first-year GM Andrew Berry.
“Myles has been accountable for his mistake and we view the incident as well out of character. We don't believe one moment should define him based on how he has handled himself prior to and in the months after last year's incident.
"We are excited to ensure that Myles
will stay in Cleveland for the foreseeable future.”
Garrett posted a video on Instagram of him signing the deal and then writing a note he pushed in front of the camera that said: “Cleveland keep betting on me. World keep betting against us.”
Garrett's agent, Bus Cook, and the Browns had been working on the record-setting package for months, and they finalized it amid uncertainty about the opening of training camp later this month and whether there will be a 2020 season because of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Garrett was under contract through 2021 after the Browns exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal in April. He'll make $4.6 million in 2020 and $15.18 million next season before the extension kicks in.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2017, Garrett is one of the league's most feared defenders, a combination of power and speed. His average salary eclipses the $23.5 million per season the Chicago Bears are giving star rusher Khalil Mack, who signed in 2018.