Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane is known for spinning the tires on potential trades if they don't happen.
The biggest one of the recent NFL offseason was when the league's best pass rusher, Myles Garrett, was traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Los Angeles Rams.
Reportedly, the Bills "checked in" as Beane likes to say.
According to The Ringer's Tom Pelissero, Buffalo's general manager had periodically checked in on his availability over a two-year span but were consistently told that the star pass-rusher wasn't available.
In the end, Garrett ended up in Los Angeles. Garrett was dealt in exchange for Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round selection, and a 2029 third-rounder. Verse being part of the exchange played
a factor in the Rams winning out on the eventual trade over the Bills:
But sources say another team called Cleveland on the day the trade leaked: The Bills, who had checked in periodically on Garrett’s availability for the better part of two years. Previously, the answer had always been the same: Myles Garrett is not available. Even if the Bills would’ve matched the draft pick compensation in the Rams’ trade package—and talks never got there—they couldn’t offer to trade a young edge player on a rookie contract such as Verse, whose inclusion in the deal was pivotal in getting the Browns to relent and move the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The Bills' pass rush will be lead by Bradley Chubb and Greg Rousseau in 2026. Chubb signed a three-year deal with the team earlier this offseason. Interestingly, Chubb signed in March. Garrett was traded on June 1. It's unclear how the Bills would have worked out their defensive front in a scenario where Garrett did end up in Buffalo.
Garrett, 30, five time first-team All-Pro and two time Defensive Player of the Year.
Bills Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 NFL season.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Report: Bills inquired about Myles Garrett before trade from Browns to Rams
