Myles Garrett’s cap hit is barely more than this former Rams backup
Article excerpt
The Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett, one of the NFL's elite pass rushers, carries a salary-cap hit that rivals what the Los Angeles Rams pay for a backup defensive end, Michael Hoecht. This stark contrast highlights how Garrett's massive extension, while reflecting his Pro Bowl caliber, creates unusual economics compared to typical star contracts. The comparison underscores how contract structures and timing can dramatically affect team salary-cap allocations, even among players with vastly different on-field contributions.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 22: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns runs onto the field before the game against the New York Giants at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Myles Garrett trade is shocking enough on it’s own, the fact that the Los Angeles Rams were able to acquire him from Cleveland and only losing one first-round pick in the process. But the financial details are even more surprising. Maybe no detail stands out more than Garrett’s salary cap hits to the Rams over the next three seasons, averaging only $15 million per season from 2026 to 2028.
That includes just $9.1 million in 2026, making Garrett almost as inexpensive to L.A.’s roster as former Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht is to the Buffalo Bills.
Unbelievable.
Hoecht vs. Garrett
With the Rams, Hoecht managed to develop from an undrafted free agent in 2021 to a starter by 2023, but Les Snead knew he would not be able to keep him while also building a future at the position that included Byron Young and Jared Verse.
The Bills signed Hoecht to a three-year, $21 million contract in 2025.
That means that Hoecht’s cap hit in 2026 is $7.1 million. Only $2 million less than Garrett.
Hoecht has had five sacks in the last two seasons
Garrett had five sacks in a game against the Patriots last year
It’s not only Hoecht.
Garrett’s other comparison values
Myles Garrett, he of 23 sacks last year, has a lower cap hit next season than Odafe Oweh, Travon Walker, Kwity Paye, Baron Browning, Carl Granderson, Chase Young, Patrick Jones, Jaelan Phillips, and rookie David Bailey, among MANY others.
Garrett’s cap hit is less than half as much as Dayo Odeyingbo of the Chicago Bears.
The savings continue in 2027, when Garrett’s cap hit is $16 million. That’s one-third as much as Danielle Hunter and half as much as Phillips. It’s less than Paye, Boye Mafe, and Harold Landry.
It’s also less than another former Rams player who L.A. decided not to keep: John Franklin-Myers has a cap hit of $23 million with the Titans in 2027!
That’s more than Garrett’s cap hit in 2028, when it goes up to $21 million.
At savings like this, the Rams will be able to fit more players under the salary cap in the coming years, including Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner, and Young.
Myles Garrett wasn’t just a great addition to the roster. He was also an affordable one to the cap.