Big names at the defensive end position have been labeled as potential trade candidates this NFL offseason, such as Maxx Crosby, Micah Parsons, Trey Hendrickson, and Myles Garrett.
And, Buffalo Bills fans on social media have been clamoring for a trade for a star edge rusher since the season’s end.
Head coach Sean McDermott agrees with the folks wishing a trade for a star. He hinted at landing a difference-maker this offseason during his end-of-season press conference.
“The AFC is just loaded with really good quarterbacks, really good coaches,” McDermott said. “So the short answer is they are hard to find, like Brandon (Beane) said. You do need difference-makers. Again, in my experience, you need two or three on each side of the ball that are difference makers like that.”
With Garrett’s trade request from the Cleveland Browns following the season, Western New Yorkers began to put two and two together quickly, especially after Garrett mentioned that he wanted to be traded to a Super Bowl contender.
“I have a lot of love for Northeast Ohio and the community that brought me into the league,” Garrett said on NFL Countdown on Super Bowl Sunday. “I wanna get to contending and winning playoff games and having a chance to be in games like today.”
It’s not just Bills fans who are hoping to see the potential match between Buffalo and Garrett. ESPN national NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler claimed it as the one move he wants to see this offseason, saying “Buffalo’s lack of pass-rush prowess showed in key moments of the playoffs, especially against the Chiefs. Time to rectify that in a big way.”
It’s been said a million times that the Bills are close to “getting over the hump”, but Garrett is the type of player who could take them where they are trying to go. The Bills have been one of the best teams in the NFL over the past five years but they haven’t had the star power, especially on the defensive side of the ball, to make impact plays in the playoffs.
Garrett, a 29-year-old veteran with eight seasons under his belt, has most likely entered the back-nine of his playing career. He’s ready to win now, and so are the Bills.
Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins sees the vision, as well. He has been doing his best to recruit the six-time All-Pro this offseason, nationally stating multiple times his desire to land Garrett.
If Garrett is traded, he will come with a hefty price tag, so general manager Brandon Beane will most likely have to perform some cap gymnastics. His current cap hit with Cleveland is just north of $20 million, which is expensive for a non-quarterback, but it’s more than reasonable for a player of his caliber.
As for which team Garrett will be on to start 2025, the Bills (+550) have the fourth-best odds in the NFL, according to DraftKings. They trail the Washington Commanders (+300), Philadelphia Eagles (+450), and Browns (+500).