• Loading stock data...
Sunday, May 4, 2025

Myles Garrett’s Record Deal Resets the NFL Market for Edge Rushers

Myles Garrett agreed to a $40 million per year deal, eclipsing Maxx Crosby as the highest-paid non-QB in the league.

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The NFL market has determined that edge rushers are the second-most-important position in the league—at least for now.

Myles Garrett agreed to a four-year deal with the Browns worth an average annual value of $40 million per year, making him the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL, according to ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter. The deal comes just a month after Garrett had requested a trade from Cleveland.

The 29-year-old eclipsed fellow defensive end Maxx Crosby, who signed a three-year, $106.5 million deal last Wednesday with an average annual value of $35.5 million.

Entering the 2024 season, wide receiver Justin Jefferson held the mantle with a $35 million per year average on his four-year, $140 million deal signed last June. Receiver CeeDee Lamb and edge rusher Nick Bosa followed with $34 million per year. Bosa signed a five-year, $170 million contract in 2023, and received $122.5 million in guaranteed money.

Garrett’s deal also comes with $123.5 million in guaranteed money, also the most for a non-QB. 

Open Market

The market value for pass rushers has risen significantly due to Garrett’s contract, but there are still a pair of top-end players whose futures will be determined this offseason.

The Cowboys’ offseason agenda includes securing an extension for edge rusher Micah Parsons, and they could challenge the Browns by making the 25-year-old the highest-paid defensive player in the league.

“I don’t necessarily know that there’s a lot of extenuating situations out there that would [prevent] us from being able to get our hands around something with Micah, but we’ll see,” Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said in late February

Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who led the league with 17.5 sacks in 2024, is also on the market after Cincinnati announced last week they granted him permission to seek a trade. The 30-year-old is signed for one-year, $21 million and is in line for an extension with a new franchise.

However, Garrett’s record deal and the possible deals of Parsons and Hendrickson don’t assure that a defensive player will enter the 2025 season as the highest-paid non-QB. The Bengals are still negotiating a contract with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who could keep that distinction with a new deal.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire Ron Kulpa (46) calls a third strike during a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field

Pro Refs Get Offered Free Lasik for Better Calls. Some Took It

Some pro officials have sprung for the offer for free corrective surgery.

Sovereignty Wins Kentucky Derby, $3.1M Purse

The total purse was raised to $5 million last year.
Front Office Sports
exclusive

Jayson Werth: Winning Belmont Stakes ‘Comparable’ Emotions to World Series

Werth spoke to FOS at Churchill Downs about the race day high.
Apr 13, 2025; Bristol, Tennessee, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) during driver introductions for the NASCAR Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

NASCAR Champ Buys Into Ohio Racetrack

Blaney won the NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2023.

Featured Today

Mint juelps

Inside the 120,000-Cup Mint Julep Frenzy of Kentucky Derby Weekend

The official cocktail at Churchill Downs costs $22—or $5,000.
May 1, 2025

How Larry Collmus Became the Longest-Running Kentucky Derby Caller

Collmus will call his 15th straight Derby on NBC.
Apr 25, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium
April 30, 2025

The Pirates Are Struggling, But Paul Skenes Fever Is Still Spreading

The 22-year-old pitcher is (finally) giving Pittsburgh something to cheer for.
April 29, 2025

How DJ Adam Amin Mixes Baseball With Bangers

Amin is one of Fox’s top NFL and MLB voices.
Jun 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) passes the ball against Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith (1) during the second half of a basketball game at Wintrust Arena.

WNBA Takes Its Preseason College Series to a New Level

Multiple preseason WNBA games will be broadcast nationally.
May 2, 2025

Mets, Dodgers, Pitch Clock Push MLB to Best April Attendance Since 2017

The league eyes a third straight boost at the gates this season.
May 2, 2025

TGL Team Owner Marc Lasry: TV Ratings Peak Was 4X Better Than..

Lasry said TGL would have been happy with 250,000 viewers per match.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
May 1, 2025

Liberty Media Faces Rising Speculation Over Potential F1 Sale

Pending sale rumors persist around the motorsports property.
Jul 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike (3) shoots the ball against LA Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (5) and LA Sparks forward Rickea Jackson (2) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena.
May 1, 2025

‘We’ve Been Aggressive’: WNBPA Director on CBA Negotiations

Priorities include improved salaries and more accessible maternity benefits.
April 30, 2025

NHL Coaching Carousel Spins Fast, Even for Highest-Paid

Eight teams are currently looking for new head coaches.
April 30, 2025

Kentucky Derby Arrives With $920M Churchill Downs Expansion Stalled

The iconic venue had planned a $920 million renovation project.