Any hopes that the San Francisco 49ers might pull off a trade for Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett were dashed on Sunday. After requesting a trade and declaring his time in Cleveland over, Garrett and the Browns instead reached an agreement on a lucrative contract extension.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the deal averages $40 million annually and includes $123.5 million in guaranteed money, making Garrett the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
From trade to truce and beyond: the Browns and Myles Garrett reached agreement today on a record contract extension that averages $40 million per year and includes $123.5 million in guaranteed money and now makes him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history, sources tell ESPN.… pic.twitter.com/scNWJH2vFX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2025
A trade to the 49ers was always a long shot. While Garrett expressed interest in playing for a contender, San Francisco would have needed to surrender significant draft capital while accommodating a massive contract—something difficult to manage with the team working toward a significant extension for quarterback Brock Purdy.
The Browns, meanwhile, made it clear they had no intention of moving on from their star pass rusher.
RELATED Report: 49ers, Joey Bosa having 'good conversations,' could be headed toward deal
Instead, the 49ers are reportedly in talks with veteran pass rusher Joey Bosa. According to Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard, the two sides are engaged in "good conversations" and could be progressing toward a deal.
"Nothing is done, but the Bosa brothers want to be together and probably will get there this year," Kawakami wrote. "Which likely means this will be a moderate deal [plus] incentives."
With free agency kicking off this week, the 49ers currently have an estimated $34.4 million in salary cap space, per OverTheCap.com.