In recent weeks, the Cleveland Browns decided to give Myles Garrett a massive contract extension. Nevertheless, the team is aware that they may need to replace him soon, and a potential successor is ready to step in at any time.
At the end of the 2024 NFL season, Myles Garrett shocked the Browns with unexpected news. The star defensive end requested a trade, expressing his desire to chase a Super Bowl outside of Cleveland.
The AFC North team was stunned by his decision. Nevertheless, they did everything possible to keep him, including offering a lucrative contract extension he couldn’t refuse.
Browns make bold statement about Myles Garrett’s potential successor
In 2017, the Browns used the first overall pick to bolster their defense. The team selected Myles Garrett, an elite pass rusher who was unquestionably the best defensive player in his class.
Garrett, a standout from Texas A&M, significantly improved the team’s defense. Unfortunately, the rest of the roster failed to rise to his level, often leaving him as the lone savior of the franchise.
After carrying the team for several years, Garrett had enough and recently requested a trade. However, a four-year, $160 million extension convinced him to walk back on that decision and remain in Cleveland.
Despite extending Garrett’s contract, the Browns decided to select Mason Graham with the fifth overall pick this year. The Michigan standout is widely seen as his eventual successor, and Cleveland is well aware of how talented their new defensive star is.
“I do think there’s a lot of meat on the bone as far as his production, and we can see better production from him than even we saw, and he had outstanding production and college,” defensive coordinatos Jim Schwartz said about Graham, via Ashley Bastock of Cleveland.com. “But I think there’s some meat on the bone that he can even have a chance to make more plays here.”
What is Mason Graham’s contract with the Browns?
Mason Graham was one of the top defensive prospects in this year’s draft. While he isn’t expected to directly compete with Myles Garrett, the Browns believe he could eventually take over as the leader of the defense once Garrett leaves or retires.
As a high first-round selection, Graham signed a sizable rookie deal with Cleveland. He inked a four-year, $40.8 million contract, fully guaranteed, with a fifth-year option included.