Mon Feb 24 09:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Browns Unlikely to Trade Myles Garrett Due to Complex Cap Implications; Cowboys Legend Retires

**Cleveland, OH** – The Cleveland Browns are highly unlikely to trade star defensive end Myles Garrett this offseason, despite his considerable talent, due to complex salary cap ramifications stemming from his contract structure, according to The Athletic’s NFL newsletter, Scoop City.

Garrett’s 2020 contract extension, while making him the highest-paid defensive player at the time, cleverly utilized prorated bonuses and void years to minimize his annual cap hit. This accounting maneuver, while beneficial in the short term, creates a significant dead-money penalty if he’s traded before June 1st – a projected $36.2 million hit in 2025. Given the Browns are already significantly over the projected salary cap, absorbing this additional penalty is virtually impossible without further drastic restructuring of existing contracts.

Trading Garrett would require a cascade of moves, including potentially further restructuring Deshaun Watson’s contract, cutting or trading players like Jack Conklin, and potentially extending Denzel Ward. While a post-June 1st trade might lessen the immediate cap impact, it would severely limit the Browns’ flexibility in the 2025 draft and free agency.

Meanwhile, in other NFL news, veteran Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin announced his retirement after 11 seasons, ending a highly successful career marked by consistent excellence despite a lack of playoff success. The Athletic’s beat reporter mock draft suggests a potential landing spot for Garrett could be with the Commanders, Eagles, Bills, Lions, or Bears.

Finally, the newsletter also highlights the Kansas City Chiefs’ likely efforts to retain offensive lineman Trey Smith, recognizing the importance of protecting Patrick Mahomes; and discusses the projected NFL salary cap increase for 2025, which will provide some relief to teams like the Browns and Eagles who have employed similar cap management strategies.

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