▶ Browns near deal with DE Myles Garrett that would make him league’s toppaid defensive player.
AP source reports extension should be completed soon
The Cleveland Browns are closing in on a contract extension with star defensive end Myles Garrett, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Garrett, the No. 1 overall pick in 2017 and one of the NFL’S top edge rushers, and the team could have the deal completed in the next day or so, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.
NFL Network reported the extension could be for five years and $125 million, which would make Garrett the league’s highest-paid defensive player. The Browns have been discussing the extension with Garrett and his representatives for months.
The Browns have been eager to lock up Garrett to a long-term deal. The team views him as one of the franchise’s cornerstone players who has only begun to reach his potential.
Garrett has recorded 301/2 sacks in 37 games for Cleveland during his NFL career.
He had 10 sacks in 10 games last season and was on his way to making another Pro Bowl when he was suspended by the league for the final six games after he pulled off Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph’s helmet and struck him in the head with it.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Garrett in February after meeting with the 24-yearold in New York.
The Browns felt the helmet-swinging skirmish was out of character for Garrett, who said he reacted violently because Rudolph had used a racial slur.
Garrett entered this offseason with two years left on his rookie contract after Cleveland picked up his fifth-year option.
Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack is currently the highest-paid defensive player, averaging $23 million per season.
Chiefs: Kansas City and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones agreed to a four-year contract that could be worth up to $85 million, the latest in a lavish spending spree by the Super Bowl champions as they continue to lock up their core pieces as training camp approaches. The deal for Jones, which comes on the heels of a record-setting 10-year extension for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, includes $60 million in guarantees, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Chiefs had not announced the extension. The two sides had been working on an extension since last year. But they were never very close, even when Jones showed his displeasure by skipping the entirety of the offseason program — including the mandatory summer minicamp. Jones returned in time for training camp, though, and his unique ability to rush the passer from the interior of the defensive line was instrumental in helping Kansas City beat the San Francisco 49ers to win its first Super Bowl in 50 years. Eagles: Philadelphia signed nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters to a one-year deal and plan to use him at right guard. Peters, 38, enters his 17th season in the NFL and 12th in Philadelphia. He’ll replace three-time Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Brooks, who tore his left Achilles tendon last month and will miss the season.