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Jaguars fans — do you think the team should’ve traded for Myles Garrett?
The possibility of a Garrett trade soared in late March, when the Cleveland Browns adjusted his contract to push back about $10 million in guaranteed money until the start of the season. That was a not-so-subtle
way to tell the rest of the league that a buying window was open. Just a few weeks later, though, the Jaguars inked Travon Walker to a four-year, $110 million contract extension, which effectively took them out of the running.
The Los Angeles Rams’ final package included Jared Verse (the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year and a two-time Pro Bowler) plus a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick. The only reason Garrett got moved for anything less than three first-rounders is that the Rams, begrudgingly, agreed to part ways with Verse.
Jacksonville’s current roster isn’t quite good enough to offer its front office the luxury of being in “fuck them picks” mode. At least, not to the extent of Liam Coen and James Gladstone’s mentors across the coast. Trading a bounty of draft capital for Travis Hunter is one thing — he provides a uniquely high ceiling and has plenty of football ahead of him — but the Jags may be overstepping their championship window by sending a trio of top-32 picks for a 30-year-old defensive player. (But imagine if Cleveland had control of Jacksonville’s first-round picks for five straight years. Lmao.)
To land Garrett, the Jaguars probably would’ve had to offer the same package as the Rams, with Walker substituted for Verse. Both are highly respected by the organization that drafted them and are the type of dominant, versatile defensive linemen that any team would want to build around for the next 5-10 years. Even if we can all agree that Josh Hines-Allen is the better player, Walker arguably offers more value given the age difference (3.5 years).
Maybe the Jags would’ve had to offer a little more to sweeten the pot, but you get the point. If they really wanted Myles Garrett, they would’ve had to part with a ton of picks and Travon Walker.
My hunch is that Jacksonville would have been willing to part ways with their beloved homegrown star, but unlike Los Angeles, the timing just wasn’t quite right.
If you’re upset that the Jags didn’t pull the trigger to land the guy who broke the sack record last season and won Defensive Player of the Year twice over the past three years, well, I don’t blame you. Garrett is awesome. One-of-one. Superhuman. Half of the league would become legit title contenders just by adding him.
So what say you, Jaguars fans? Would you have tried to acquire Garrett at any cost, or are you okay with the Jaguars missing out on the sweepstakes? Do you trust Gladstone and the front office to be aggressive when the right moments present themselves?
Let us know in the comments below!
