Rams structured Myles Garrett’s deal to pay him big while barely touching the cap
Rams structured Myles Garrett's deal to pay him big while barely touching the cap
Myles Garrett is now with a Super Bowl contender, earning more than he did in Cleveland, and costing the Los Angeles Rams only $8.1 million against their salary cap this season. Spotrac revealed the full details of his contract on Tuesday, showing how the Rams managed to make all of this happen at once.
Garrett’s restructured deal with Los Angeles is worth $208.2 million over five years and includes $37 million fully guaranteed in 2026, up from the $31.5 million he was set to receive under his previous structure with the Browns.
The contract runs $99 million through the 2028 season, per Spotrac on X. It carries a signing bonus, eight option bonuses, and eight void years specifically designed to spread cap charges across future years.
Myles Garrett signed a 5-year, $208.2 million restructured contract with the #Rams that includes $37M fully guaranteed in 2026, & $99M through the 2028 season.
The deal includes a signing bonus, 8 option bonuses, & 8 void years for cap purposes.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 10, 2026
The eight void years are the key to the math. They allow the Rams to prorate Garrett’s signing bonus over a longer period, pushing significant cap charges into years the team does not intend to carry them, which effectively neutralizes his immediate cap impact while front-loading his cash compensation.
His $8.1 million cap hit ranks 40th among all edge rushers in 2026, per SI. The Rams still have $16.3 million in cap space available after completing the deal.
What the full structure reveals about how Los Angeles operates
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported earlier this month that the Rams and Garrett did not agree on a new deal, instead reworking his existing contract. The Rams adjusted the option and workout bonuses on the back end of the deal to move more cash compensation into 2026.
The total value stays consistent with the $40 million average annual salary Garrett commanded when he signed his Browns extension in March 2025.
The cap structure the Rams created mirrors what they did with Trent McDuffie after acquiring him from Kansas City earlier this offseason.
Los Angeles gave McDuffie a new deal immediately after trading for him, keeping the cash flowing to their new acquisitions while protecting their cap flexibility for the rest of the roster.
