Myles Garrett, a $16 million standout in a three-team trade, could be traded by the Vikings.

The 2025 NFL offseason is shaping up to be one of the most eventful in recent memory, and one of the biggest storylines centers around the Minnesota Vikings. While the Vikings are in the midst of retooling their roster to maintain a competitive edge in the NFC North and beyond, rumors are swirling about a potential blockbuster trade that could shake up the defense in a way that few could have anticipated. Myles Garrett, one of the league’s most dominant edge rushers, could be the centerpiece of a high-profile trade that would involve the Vikings in a three-team deal.

Garrett, who is currently under contract for $16 million per year, has been one of the league’s premier pass rushers for the Cleveland Browns and could be a game-changer for any team in need of an elite defensive force. For the Vikings, a team with a solid but occasionally inconsistent defense, acquiring Garrett would fill a crucial gap and take their pass rush to a new level. However, as is often the case in the NFL, the complexities of roster construction, financial obligations, and team dynamics could complicate the deal.

Could the Minnesota Vikings pull the trigger on a trade for Garrett? What would a three-team trade look like, and how would it impact the future of the Vikings, the Browns, and the third team involved? In this article, we’ll dive deep into the potential of such a trade and break down the key factors at play.

1. Myles Garrett: A $16 Million Standout

At just 28 years old, Myles Garrett is already considered one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Over the course of his career, he has amassed over 70 sacks, earning three Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro honors. His combination of size, strength, speed, and football IQ has made him an absolute nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, and he remains one of the few players in the NFL capable of completely changing the dynamic of a defense.

Garrett’s contract, worth $16 million per year, places him among the highest-paid edge rushers in the league. His salary cap hit is substantial, but it’s reflective of his elite status and the value he brings to a defense. For any team looking to acquire him, the financials are a major consideration, especially for a team like the Vikings, who already have significant contracts tied up in other key players, including quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

However, Garrett’s $16 million salary is not unreasonable for a player of his caliber. Teams with cap space could certainly find ways to make the money work, especially if they are looking to push for a Super Bowl in the near future. The Vikings, for example, could make Garrett’s addition a cornerstone of their defense, and the potential impact on their pass rush could be immediate and substantial.

2. The Vikings’ Defensive Needs

Despite a strong offensive core, the Vikings’ defense has been a point of concern for several seasons. While the team has some high-level talent in the defensive backfield with players like Harrison Smith and Patrick Peterson, and edge rushers like Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith, the team has struggled with consistency on that side of the ball. The Vikings’ pass rush, in particular, has been inconsistent in recent years, and it’s been clear that the team needs a more dynamic playmaker to elevate their defensive line.

The addition of Myles Garrett would instantly solve many of the Vikings’ pass-rush woes. Garrett is capable of taking over a game, disrupting the pocket, and forcing turnovers. Pairing him with the already talented Danielle Hunter, who has been a consistent pass-rusher himself, could create one of the most fearsome edge duos in the league. With Garrett drawing attention on one side, Hunter would likely see more favorable matchups, allowing both players to thrive.

In terms of scheme fit, Garrett would complement the Vikings’ defensive system well. Under Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell, the Vikings have emphasized creating pressure on the quarterback while also playing disciplined in the secondary. With Garrett’s ability to disrupt passing lanes and sack quarterbacks in various situations, he would add an explosive dimension to Minnesota’s defense, allowing the team to better compete with the high-powered offenses in the NFC North, such as the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, and other NFC contenders.

3. The Three-Team Trade Scenario

A three-team trade involving Myles Garrett is a complex but intriguing possibility. The Vikings would not be the only team involved in this trade—there would be another team that either sends additional assets to Cleveland or takes on some of Garrett’s salary. This structure allows the Vikings to potentially gain Garrett without giving up too much of their own talent. Here’s a breakdown of how this trade could unfold.

Minnesota Vikings Receive: Myles Garrett

The Vikings would acquire Garrett to bolster their defensive line and provide an elite pass-rushing presence. As mentioned, Garrett’s skill set would fit seamlessly into Minnesota’s defensive system. His disruptive nature could instantly elevate the Vikings’ defense into a top-tier unit, capable of competing with the best teams in the league. The Vikings are in a window where they need to maximize their assets to make a Super Bowl push, and Garrett would be a key piece in that effort.

Cleveland Browns Receive: Future Draft Picks + Salary Cap Relief

The Browns, while a team in the playoff hunt, might be willing to part with Garrett in a larger salary cap maneuver or to pursue a rebuild in other areas. Myles Garrett’s contract is sizable, and if the Browns are looking to free up cap space for other moves, trading him could be a necessary decision. In this scenario, Cleveland would likely receive a combination of future draft picks—such as a first or second-round pick—and possibly a salary dump from one of the other teams involved in the trade.

One potential scenario is the Browns receiving a 2025 first-round pick and a mid-tier player from a third team that has a contract they want to unload. This would allow Cleveland to reshape their roster and reallocate resources to positions of need.

The Third Team: Salary Cap Relief and Future Assets

The third team in this scenario would likely be a team in need of salary cap relief or looking to offload a player who no longer fits into their future plans. This team would take on part of Garrett’s salary in exchange for future assets. For example, teams like the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, or Indianapolis Colts could be candidates, as they may have cap space and the desire to offload a contract in exchange for a draft pick or young player.

The third team’s role would be crucial in making this deal work financially. They would likely take on some of Garrett’s contract to balance out the trade. This structure would help the Vikings avoid taking on the entire $16 million salary themselves while still getting the premier pass rusher they need to elevate their defense.

4. Financial Considerations and Cap Space

For the trade to work from a financial standpoint, the Vikings would have to carefully manage their cap space. With Garrett’s contract sitting at $16 million, it would represent a significant portion of the Vikings’ available cap space, especially if they are also planning to retain key players like Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson, and Dalvin Cook.

However, the Vikings could free up space by restructuring other contracts or by moving on from certain players whose contracts are expiring or who have been underperforming. For instance, they could look to move Za’Darius Smith, who has an expiring contract and could be a valuable trade chip, or restructure deals to create more cap flexibility in the short term.

It’s worth noting that trading for Garrett would come with some financial risk, especially given that the Vikings already have several high-value contracts on the roster. But for a team with playoff aspirations, such a risk could be justified by the potential payoff. Garrett could be the difference between a strong playoff appearance and a legitimate Super Bowl push.

5. Potential Impact on the Vikings

If the Vikings were to acquire Garrett, the impact would be immediate and far-reaching. Let’s break down how Garrett would affect the team’s performance.

Pass Rush Improvement

Garrett’s presence would immediately boost the Vikings’ ability to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Adding him to the mix with Danielle Hunter would create one of the most dynamic pass-rushing duos in the NFL. Opposing quarterbacks would have to account for both players, which would make it difficult for them to execute plays effectively. This would allow the Vikings’ defense to play with more aggression and confidence.

Defensive Line Depth

With Garrett on the roster, the Vikings would have more flexibility to rotate their defensive line and keep players fresh throughout the season. This added depth would be crucial in ensuring that the defense performs at a high level all year long, especially during the late-season playoff push.

Increased Pressure on NFC Contenders

Garrett would also give the Vikings an edge when it comes to facing some of the NFC’s top quarterbacks, including Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions, Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, and Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams. In the modern NFL, having an elite pass rusher is crucial to success, and Garrett would give the Vikings the tools to compete at the highest level.