The Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the NFL world were shocked on Monday when two blockbuster trades took place across the league. One of the trades involved wide receiver AJ Brown, as he was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New England Patriots. The second trade involved star pass rusher Myles Garrett, as he was traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Los Angeles Rams. This was one of the biggest trades in recent history for the NFL, and Pittsburgh is considered a beneficiary as Garrett is no longer playing in the AFC North. The Browns however, did receive a very good pass rusher in the deal in Jared Verse.
Matt Durisko / AP Photo
Steelers' TJ Watt chats with Browns' Myles Garrett after a game in Pittsburgh.
There have been years of speculating that Garrett might want out of Cleveland. The Browns have not operated well as an organization throughout his tenure there. The franchise chose to roll with Deshaun Watson at quarterback over Baker Mayfield, and that move has not worked out. The team seems no closer to winning than it was when Garrett was drafted back in 2017. He requested a trade during the 2025 offseason, but wound up signing an extension. Now, he has gotten his previous wish, as he was dealt to the Super Bowl champion favorites in Los Angeles.
Pittsburgh's star defensive tackle Cam Heyward spoke about this trade on a recent episode of Not Just Football With Cam Heyward, and he was fairly critical of the Browns and what they received back in the deal.
"I think Jared Verse is a really good player, but a guy coming off of 23 sacks, I think that needs to cost a lot more," Heyward said. "I just think, the first, the second, and the third, it's not like it's all in the same year. It's kind of spread out. I know Myles might be getting up there in years, but to have that kind of production, it can't be an understatement. I think there should have been more picks attached along with it."
Heyward was careful with his words as he wanted everyone to know that Verse is a very good player. He won the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year Award for his performance during the 2024 season. He has a bright future ahead of him, but Heyward thinks the Browns should have been able to get more picks from the Rams in this deal.
Matt Starkey / Cleveland Browns
Former quarterback Russell Wilson and the Steelers' offense get dominated by Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett in Week 12 of the 2024 regular season.
Verse has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons in the NFL, and he is on pace to having a great career. He is an excellent return for trading away Garrett, but the Browns left some picks on the table according to Heyward. He referenced the fact that the New York Jets had just traded Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for two first round picks and a capable wide receiver in Adonai Mitchell. Another first round pick in the deal for the Browns would have made things much better.
Another important note is that not all draft picks are created equal. The Rams are the Super Bowl favorites for the 2026 season, so their first round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft is probably going to come within the final six selections of the first round. This should be considered when evaluating the deal between the two organizations, and it is a reason the Browns should have asked for more compensation.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images
Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay stands in front of local and national media while answering questions about his team.
Steelers Should View The Browns As Competition In The 2027 NFL Draft
There is a good chance that the quarterback class in the 2027 NFL Draft is going to be really strong, and there is also a good chance that the Steelers will be looking for a quarterback in the first round. The same can be said for the Browns, and they now have two picks in the first round of the event. These can be used to move up in the order, which is not good news for Pittsburgh.
What do you think about Heyward's comments? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
#SteelerNation