On the afternoon of March 9th the news broke that the Cleveland Browns and defensive end Myles Garrett agreed to terms on a 4-year contract extension worth $123 million dollars in guaranteed money. Myles Garrett has become the highest paid non-quarterback player in NFL history with a $40 million dollar a year salary.  Myles Garrett will be under contract with the Cleveland Browns through the 2030 season. Also, when the extension takes effect in 2027 Myles Garrett will have a no trade clause and no franchise tag clause in the contract. It is obvious that the Cleveland Browns are better with Myles Garrett. But how will this contract extension impact the rest of the AFC North Division?

In the AFC North other impact pass rushers are due for contract extensions. Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals requested a trade as well. The Bengals organization gave him permission to seek the trade. Also, the Bengals want to make their star wide receiver Jamarr Chase the highest paid non-quarterback player in the league. For them to do that, they would have to eclipse the $40 million dollar a year mark that Myles Garrett has. In Pittsburgh, Steelers star pass rusher TJ Watt is due for a contract extension too. Maxx Crosby of the Raiders recently signed a 35 million dollar a year extension with his team.  I truly believe that both Watt and Hendrickson are better pash rushers than Maxx Crosby. So, the floor for either of their extensions would be $35 million a year. But can the Bengals and Steelers afford these extensions?

With the increase in revenue and salary cap in the NFL player salaries are going to naturally increase. Smaller market cash strapped teams will have to get creative to sign and extend players. The AFC North is still considered one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. And NFL teams don’t get tough by just getting creative. They make smart and sound football decisions and for the Cleveland Browns this was both smart and sound.