The Cleveland Browns dealt their two-time Defensive Player of the Year to the Los Angeles Rams
The Cleveland Browns have officially parted ways with Myles Garrett, sending the two time Defensive Player of the Year to the Los Angeles Rams in a deal that left the football world doing a double take. While trade rumors surrounding Garrett had circulated for some time, the finality of it still landed with considerable force.
The reason is simple: no reigning Defensive Player of the Year had ever been traded in NFL history before this moment. That single fact immediately raises a larger question is Garrett the most accomplished player ever to change teams via trade? To answer that, it helps to look back at the players who came before him.
Eric Dickerson — Rams to Colts, 1987
Dickerson’s mid season deal to Indianapolis is probably the closest historical parallel to what just happened with Garrett. By the time he left Los Angeles, Dickerson had already collected three Pro Bowl appearances, three first team All Pro selections and the single season rushing record. He was, without question, at the absolute height of his powers when the Rams let him go. He continued to excel with the Colts, earning three more Pro Bowls and two more All Pro nods. Of all the cases examined here, Dickerson’s mirrors Garrett’s situation most closely.
Marshall Faulk — Colts to Rams, 1999
Indianapolis made a head scratching decision to move Faulk after four outstanding seasons, right as the franchise was beginning to build something meaningful in the AFC. Faulk arrived in St. Louis with Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and three Pro Bowl appearances already on his résumé, coming off the first of what would become four straight seasons surpassing 2,000 scrimmage yards. He went on to win a league MVP, three Offensive Player of the Year awards and three more All Pro selections with the Rams. The key distinction from Garrett’s case, however, is that Faulk was still growing into his best football when traded, whereas Garrett has already reached the summit.
Khalil Mack — Raiders to Bears, 2018
Oakland’s decision to trade Mack rather than pay him remains one of the more debated roster moves of the modern era. Mack had already earned three Pro Bowls, two first team All Pro selections and a Defensive Player of the Year award within his first four seasons when the Raiders dealt him to Chicago. He continued to perform at a high level with the Bears and later the Chargers. While Mack was undeniably on a Hall of Fame track when traded, Garrett already owns three more double digit sack seasons in fewer years played, making the edge in pure talent fairly clear.
Joe Montana — 49ers to Chiefs, 1993
Montana’s departure from San Francisco came after he had already cemented himself as arguably the greatest quarterback in league history, with four Super Bowl titles and a reputation for unmatched precision and composure. The difference with Garrett is one of timing: Montana was past his prime when the 49ers moved on from him. He did lead Kansas City to a division title and an AFC Championship appearance in his first season there, but it was a closing chapter rather than the middle of a dominant run.
Randy Moss — Vikings to Raiders, 2004, and Raiders to Patriots, 2007
Moss left Minnesota as one of the most electric receivers the league had ever produced, carrying five Pro Bowls and three first team All Pro selections into what turned out to be a rough stretch in Oakland. His numbers dipped significantly with the Raiders before New England revived him in spectacular fashion in 2007. Raw talent wise, Moss sits ahead of Garrett in the all time conversation, but he was not playing his best football at either point of being traded, which separates his situation from Garrett’s considerably.
Fran Tarkenton — Vikings to Giants, 1967, and Giants to Vikings, 1972
Tarkenton’s career featured two significant trades, first from Minnesota to New York and then back again. He went on to lead the Vikings to three Super Bowls and was named league MVP in 1975. However, both of his trades followed down seasons, which stands in sharp contrast to Garrett, who was dealt immediately after the finest stretch of his career.
What makes Garrett’s case different
The thread running through almost every name on this list is that their trades came either after a decline had begun or before their peak had fully arrived. Garrett‘s situation is neither. He was moved at the top of his game, right after his best season, with his Hall of Fame credentials already firmly established. Dickerson remains the closest comparison, but depending on how history ultimately ranks both players, Garrett has a compelling argument to be remembered as the most accomplished player ever dealt in a trade at the moment it happened.