What happened: Pro Football Hall of Famer and Browns legend Joe Thomas said Cleveland made the right call in trading reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. Speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Thomas called the move 'tough' and acknowledged it hurts Browns fans, but argued it strengthens the franchise's long-term outlook. Cleveland sent Garrett to Los Angeles for young pass rusher Jared Verse and three draft picks.

Why it matters: Garrett was the face of the Browns and the player fans rallied around through lean seasons, so parting with him carries real emotional weight. Thomas framed the return — a friendly contract in Verse plus a first, second and third-round pick — as the kind of asset haul that resets a rebuild and keeps championship goals in view rather than settling for individual highlights. The endorsement from a respected franchise icon adds credibility to a controversial decision as Cleveland enters a multi-year building phase.

What to watch: Watch how Verse fits into Cleveland's defensive front and how the Browns deploy the three incoming picks as they retool for the upcoming 2026 season.