Myles Garrett has signed a historic deal to remain with the Cleveland Browns.
Garrett joined the league in 2017 as the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, notes Yahoo Sports. He was chosen by the Cleveland Browns and has remained there for eight seasons. While his achievements include stats such as 352 total tackles in 117 games and securing titles such as first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors multiple times, he has yet to earn a coveted Super Bowl ring. As a result, the defensive end expressed interest in being traded to another team.
“It’s not a decision I take lightly,” Garrett told sports commentator Rich Eisen, according to Cleveland.com. “It took time and lots of conversation, but just looking at the trajectory of the team, talking to some of the higher-ups… I have a lot of respect for them, but I just don’t think we’re aligned on where the team is going in the near future. I feel like the window for us as athletes is only so broad and only continues to close as years go by with anything being able to happen on that field from day to day. I want to be able to go out there and compete at the highest levels, day in and day out, and play for championships, like I said.”
Garrett is managed by sports agent Nicole Lynn, who made history herself in 2023. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, she became the first Black female agent to represent a quarterback — Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts — in the Super Bowl.
Lynn was involved in helping to close this latest deal for Garrett alongside Andrew Berry, the general manager of the Cleveland Browns, according to Cleveland.com. She confirmed to the outlet that Garrett had a “change of heart” and was “excited” about remaining with the team, hoping to fulfill his dream of winning a Super Bowl ring.
Per CBS News, Garrett signed a contract extension valued at $204.8 million and $100 million in cash over the first three years, with $122.8 million guaranteed and a no-trade clause. He will earn around $40 million per season over four years. He also becomes the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
“Congrats to client, Myles Garrett, on becoming the highest paid non-QB in NFL history!! A decade ago you took a meeting with a young agent just trying to catch a break,” Lynn wrote on Instagram. “Three-years ago it all came back around full circle, when you chose me to be your agent. It is an absolute honor to represent you, something I do not take for granted. Thank you for trusting me and our incredible team! By the way: you deserve every penny of that $204M deal.”
Lynn has a proven track record of positioning her clients for success. Notably, she played a key role in securing Quinnen Williams’ $96 million, four-year contract extension with the Jets in 2023, The Athletic reports. The deal made Williams the second-highest-paid defensive tackle in the league, according to Tom Pelissero, reporter for The NFL Network.
