NFL World Reacts to Myles Garrett's Surprising Return to Browns on Record Contract

Garrett signed a historic extension to remain in Cleveland on Sunday.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. / Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Browns have agreed to a record-breaking four-year contract extension with defensive end Myles Garrett. The new extension is worth $40 million per year and includes $123.5 million guaranteed for the superstar pass rusher. The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, four-time All-Pro, and former 2017 No. 1 draft pick will remain in Cleveland, and is now the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. Garrett, 29, will now prepare for his ninth season with the Browns.

The extension did come as a surprise because Garrett requested a trade from the team earlier this offseason after he expressed his desire to win. The Browns have made the playoffs twice since Garrett was drafted, but they also went 0-16 his rookie year and just went 3-14 in 2024.

The Browns consistently refused to entertain that trade request, and before the new league year begins, have found a deal that Garrett was willing to agree to so he would stay in Cleveland.

Garrett's new extension brought on mixed reactions, from Browns fans weighing in, memes about his historic payday, and to what the deal means for other superstars looking for another contract. Here are some of the top reactions:

When Myles Garrett sent that letter to Cleveland breaking down wanting to win a championship and going elsewhere to do it, it really did feel like rock bottom for the Browns. But one thing Jimmy Haslam has is a lot of $$$. Garrett sure played his cards correctly. Historic payday.

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 9, 2025

I'm happy that this Myles Garrett stuff is all over. The best outcome has happened and Myles is in Cleveland for years to come.

That being said, I think that Myles has some work to do to repair the damage that he has done with this fanbase. #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/SGyGWmGbfs

— DynastyCLE (@DynastyCLE) March 9, 2025

Resolved that Myles Garrett issue pic.twitter.com/Nk1308Xuyj

— McNeil (@Reflog_18) March 9, 2025

Myles Garrett was like pic.twitter.com/uW1EL4MHR2

— McNeil (@Reflog_18) March 9, 2025

Everybody “wants to win” until they’re able to make $40 million per season.

I don’t blame Myles Garrett at all! 😂

— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) March 9, 2025

AFC North fans seeing Myles Garrett sign an extension that keeps him in the division through 2030pic.twitter.com/SNrStoxqZb

— DraftKings (@DraftKings) March 9, 2025

Ja’Marr Chase seeing that Myles Garrett contract pic.twitter.com/yMdGNvgAi8

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 9, 2025

Micah Parsons pic.twitter.com/MXIpoeK3WR

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) March 9, 2025

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