What Could the Vikings Offer for Myles Garrett?

Nov 3, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates after a play during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

On Sunday, the sports world was blindsided by the trade news in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers acquired standout player Luka Doncic in a true blockbuster deal involving future Hall of Famer and perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate Anthony Davis.

What Could the Vikings Offer for Myles Garrett?

The NFL only took a day to produce its own trade saga, although there hasn’t been any deal yet.

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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett flashes a smile during training camp on Friday, July 29, 2022 in Berea.

Cleveland Browns star defender Myles Garrett has requested a trade, he announced in a statement.

As a kid dreaming of the NFL, all I focused on was the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl — and that goal fuels me today more than ever. My love for the community of Northeast Ohio and the incredible fanbase of the Cleveland Browns has made this one of the toughest decisions of my life. These past eight years have shaped me into the man that I am today.

While I’ve loved calling this city my home, my desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won’t allow me to be complacent. The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl.

With that in mind, I have requested to be traded from the Cleveland Browns.

Garrett has been one of the premier players in football for years, and his resume is quite extensive. He is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, a four-time first-team All-Pro (and second-team twice), went to six Pro Bowls, and has recorded 102.5 sacks through only 117 games.

Nov 3, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) walks off the field after the Browns lost to the Los Angeles Chargers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

ESPN’s Mina Kimes summarized his performance in a post on the website formerly called Twitter, “Over the last 2 years, Myles Garrett is 2nd league-wide in pass rush win rate (to Parsons) despite being doubled 30% of the time. He ranks 1st in both incompletions and interceptions created through pressure, and 1st in forced fumbles.”

The former first-overall pick has spent all eight seasons with the Browns, resulting in two playoff trips and one postseason victory. Following the 3-14 season and entering the offseason with massive uncertainty at QB and without any cap space, it is understandable that Garrett wants a change of scenery as the Browns don’t appear close to winning a Super Bowl.

The Vikings, meanwhile, just won 14 games in the regular season, making the playoffs in two of the three years with Kevin O’Connell at the helm. Garrett would undoubtedly elevate the defensive roster if acquired.

Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The problem? The Vikings have the 24th overall pick and won’t draft until late into the third round when the compensatory picks are awarded. The good news? They have some young talent the Browns could be interested in. It’s unlikely the Vikings are his next destination but they could pull it off if they really wanted to.

Without endorsing any of the deals, here are two theoretical proposals to land the 29-year-old.

1. J.J. McCarthy

The Browns have been in a rough spot ever since it became obvious that Deshaun Watson couldn’t return to his Houston level of play. They spent a ton of draft capital and gave him a fully guaranteed five-year contract for him to either play poorly or be hurt.

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) looks to pass during the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

They need a reset at the QB position, and the Vikings have a 22-year-old quarterback entering the second year of his career. The general opinion is that he would be the first passer taken in this year’s draft class, so the Browns should be interested.

The Vikings, however, love McCarthy, and it would require their willingness to give up on him after one year and perhaps stick with Sam Darnold instead.

2. Dallas Turner and Pick 24

One year ago, pass rusher Dallas Turner was widely expected to be the top defender in the draft class. He ultimately fell to the 17th pick when the Vikings facilitated a costly trade to acquire the Alabama defender.

Nov 17, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

He hasn’t lived up to the pre-draft hype but has shown flashes of his exciting talent, and he just turned 22. However, it’s unlikely he will ever turn into a first-ballot Hall of Fame talent like Garrett, and three seasons of Garrett might be worth a decade of Turner.

The Vikings would have to add their 24th overall pick and likely some late-round picks in the next two years.

The Browns would get a cheap pass rusher in return, a guy who they could potentially build around in years to come.

3. Two First-Round Picks

When the Bears traded for Khalil Mack a few years back, they paid two first-round picks, a third and a sixth for Mack, a second-rounder, and a conditional fifth.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Las Vegas Raiders
Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell (left) and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah react during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings would have to negotiate the other picks, but two first-rounders would form the foundation. Perhaps the compensatory third-rounder would be in play, too.

It should be noted, though, that Minnesota was leaguewide the oldest team in the 2024 season, and adding young talent is necessary.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.


Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt