Most of us were expecting one major NFL trade on Monday. However, we wound up with two deals that’ll drastically shake up the 2026 season, and one of the trades might have been among the biggest in NFL history.
The Los Angeles Rams made a stunning deal to acquire two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns, giving up Pro Bowler Jared Verse and three picks (including a 2027 first-round pick) in the process. Hours later, the New England Patriots finally landed A.J. Brown after months of rumors, trading a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Now, the debate is on to see who won those franchise-altering moves. Did the Rams give up too much for Garrett? Were the Patriots smart to give up a first-round pick for Brown?
We asked several execs and scouts around the league those questions following Monday’s trades. From praising the Rams to questioning the Browns, here’s what they told us:
Execs Agree: Garrett Worth Steep Price
A longtime scout believes that Myles Garrett will be “a good fit” with the Rams and could “up his game even further” even after setting the NFL’s single-season sack record in 2025. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Eric D. Williams: The Rams moved on from a talented and productive player in Jared Verse, along with giving up significant draft capital in trading for the best defensive player in the NFL, securing pass rusher Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns.
But in return, according to sources I spoke with, the Rams improved their chances of winning a Super Bowl this season — and beyond.
“It’s probably a win-win, with more risk for the Rams,” a league source told me. “It’s hard to argue with it for the Browns, given how much they got. As great as Garrett is, he’s going into his 10th season.
“But if the Rams win a Super Bowl with him and he helps, then it’s awesome for them no matter what else happens. That’s how you really judge it for them. They would love to win it this year, but if they win it any time [Garrett] is on the workforce and he’s a key issue, it’s an excellent commerce. It doesn’t should be the 2026 season. It could be unlikely it’s later than 2028, however not inconceivable.”
Garrett, 30, is the primary reigning Defensive Participant of the 12 months to be traded in NFL historical past. And the transfer comes a 12 months after he set the NFL’s single-season sack file, logging 23 sacks in 2025.
So, it is no shock {that a} longtime scout who evaluated Garrett popping out of school believes the star edge rusher brings a different dimension to Los Angeles’ defense.
“A very good workforce simply bought rather a lot higher,” the longtime NFL scout advised me. “I keep in mind evaluating him popping out, and I assumed he was generational. It was that generational gamers stayed with one workforce throughout their profession, however that’s not the case now.
“I believe he’ll be an excellent match with the Rams and provides them one thing they don’t have. He’s bought a number of fuel left within the tank. … Typically an excellent participant like that can up his sport even additional in a brand new atmosphere.”
Parting with a two-time Professional Bowler in Verse is not simple, because the 2024 first-round choose ranked sixth in complete pressures final season, per Professional Soccer Focus. However giving up the 25-year-old standout — plus a 2027 first-round choose, a 2028 second-round choose and a 2029 third-round choose — was value it for a generational participant in Garrett, in keeping with a entrance workplace government I spoke with.
“Buying and selling for the most effective defensive participant within the league doesn’t come low cost,” the NFL entrance workplace government mentioned to me. “It’s the price of doing enterprise.”
Myles Garrett to be traded to Rams for Jared Verse, 2027 1st-round choose
As for the Browns, the entrance workplace government mentioned receiving Verse and the draft belongings will assist proceed the workforce’s rebuilding course of underneath new head coach Todd Monken.
“He’s a giant, quick and productive move rusher who can even play the run,” the entrance workplace government mentioned about Verse. “At 25 years previous, he’s sturdy and on a rookie contract. Sounds good to me.”
Garrett Deal Got here One 12 months Too Late
Did Browns normal supervisor Andrew Berry wait too lengthy to commerce Myles Garrett? One NFL exec thinks so, telling us “That is the Browns.” (Photograph by Nick Cammett/Diamond Pictures by way of Getty Pictures)
Ralph Vacchiano: Garrett wished out of Cleveland a 12 months in the past, however the Browns had different plans. They wished to make him the face of their franchise as they began rebuilding from scratch, giving him a file extension on the time.
Then, on Monday, they determined to start out once more.
“That’s the Browns,” one NFL government advised me. “That they had a plan. They gave it a complete 12 months. Now they’re beginning over. It’s what they do.”
That’s definitely the way in which it appeared once they traded Garrett, only a 12 months after giving him a monster, four-year, $160 million contract and a uncommon, full, no-trade clause. They resisted all efforts to deal him even after he requested a commerce final offseason. And so they did get an amazing, historic season out of him.
After all, he did it on a 5-12 workforce.
“I don’t know what they bought out of protecting him,” the manager advised me. “They knew they didn’t have a quarterback. They knew they in all probability wouldn’t be good till late in his deal. He’s an amazing participant, don’t get me improper. However they wanted the belongings extra.
“I don’t know if they might’ve gotten a greater deal final 12 months and even the identical deal, however they might’ve been a 12 months additional alongside (of their rebuilding). You possibly can’t run a franchise by beginning over yearly.”
Patriots Lastly Get Their Man: A.J. Brown
One league supply was stunned A.J. Brown fetched a first-round choose, however thinks the star large receiver will “be positive” in New England. (Photograph by Greg Fiume/Getty Pictures)
Williams: In one of many worst-kept secrets and techniques this offseason, the Eagles lastly traded mercurial receiver A.J. Brown. In a transaction rumored for months to happen on June 1 attributable to wage cap ramifications for the Eagles, the Patriots gave up a first-round choose in 2028 and a fifth-round choice in 2027 for Brown’s providers.
One supply I spoke with thought it a head-scratcher that the Eagles nonetheless secured a first-round choose, though it was a foregone conclusion Philadelphia was buying and selling him to New England, the place Brown has an excellent relationship with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
“I’m considerably stunned that the Eagles had been in a position to get a first-round choose as a part of the deal, albeit a primary in two years,” the league supply advised me. “It was clear that Philadelphia wished to maneuver on, and but they had been nonetheless in a position to persuade New England to surrender a one.”
Nevertheless, the league supply acknowledged the Rams coming shut to creating a commerce for Brown (which doubtlessly would have included large receiver Davante Adams) might have pushed up the value for New England. Now that Brown, and his prickly character, is a Patriot, how he suits on offense with Drake Maye and is utilized by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels would be the subsequent factor to look at for in New England.
“I believe he’ll be positive within the locker room,” the league supply advised me. “He couldn’t be any tougher than Stefon Diggs in that locker room.”
‘Brown Regarded Depressing’ In Philly
An assistant normal supervisor thinks that A.J. Brown is a “basic ‘change of scenry’ man,” believing his numbers will rise following a 1,003-yard season in 2025. (Photograph by Mitchell Leff/Getty Pictures)
Vacchiano: A primary-round choose in any draft is a excessive value to pay for a large receiver approaching age 30 and hasn’t lived as much as his potential over the past two seasons. However the Patriots had been proper to pay the value for receiver A.J. Brown simply to get him out of Philadelphia.
“He’s the basic ‘change of surroundings’ man,” an NFL assistant normal supervisor advised me. “He clearly wasn’t joyful in Philly. He’s going to be higher simply by placing on totally different colours.”
That’s what the Patriots are relying on after buying and selling a 2028 first-round choose and a 2027 fifth-rounder for the soon-to-be 29-year-old. His numbers had been down the final two seasons, however he nonetheless averaged 73 catches, 1,041 yards and 7 touchdowns regardless of lacking seven video games. After recording 1,003 yards in 2025, Brown has logged at the very least 1,000 yards in six of his first seasons within the league.
The accidents that bothered him weren’t practically the issue that his perspective and demeanor had turn into, at the very least to those that watched him from the skin. And in New England, that’s anticipated to vary.
“A.J. Brown seemed depressing over the past two years and the Eagles’ passing sport was all the time off,” a scout advised me. “However take a look at the numbers he nonetheless put up. And he did that splitting consideration with DeVonta Smith. That reveals you the way proficient this man is.
“Sure, you’ve bought to make him the main focus of your offense. Sure, it’s important to work to maintain him joyful. However the Patriots will gladly do all that. He’s the most effective receiver they’ve had in years.”
