Why Myles Garrett's historic Browns deal is a disaster for multiple NFL teams with league set for ripple effect

The recently announced contract for Myles Garrett means big money for the non-quarterback market in the NFL could be coming in the near future.

Just four days after Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby agreed to a deal that would pay him $35.5m a year – and making him the highest-paid non-QB in the league – Garrett and the Browns knocked him off that pedestal.

The deal announced on Sunday will pay Garrett $40m over the next few seasons, keeping him in Cleveland until 2030 and likely to the end of his career.

But now, there’s what comes next for the rest of the league.

With Garrett’s deal, a number of non-quarterback free agents in 2026 are set for massive pay days.

Today’s contract could likely re-set the market for players at other positions as the league generates more and more revenue each year.

Among the players to keep an eye on include some of the best skill position talent in the league on both sides of the ball.

In particular, wide receiver should be a position to keep an eye on.

DK Metcalf could be signing a new contract if his wishes for a trade from the Seattle Seahawks are granted, but on the open market, he could be a big earner.

The same could be said for Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins and Pittsburgh Steelers wideout George Pickens.

But the biggest name to watch of all on offense is Ja’Marr Chase of the Bengals.

His tandem with quarterback Joe Burrow has been one of the most productive QB-WR duos in the league for the past three seasons. 

The Bengals will surely want to keep that – and with wide receiver contracts at a premium, Chase could get paid big time. 

Similarly, the tight end market could balloon next year.

While Travis Kelce won’t likely earn as much as he has in the past, top talents like George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Goedert of the Philadelphia Eagles could get paid well.

Veterans like Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens and struggling talents like Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts could also cash in with strong seasons.

Then there’s the other side of the ball – with specific focus on the position that Garrett plays – edge rusher.

Garrett has been one of the top talents in the league at that position for a number of years and his contract reflects that.

But there’s two names in particular to keep an eye on as contract decisions are made.

In Pittsburgh, the Steelers have been anchored in recent years by the play of TJ Watt. The 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year has more sacks than Garrett does, so he might have the most potential on the defensive side of the ball to earn a big pay day.

That is, if the Dallas Cowboys didn’t make an appearance on this list with Micah Parsons. The 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year hasn’t earned a big-money contract since getting drafted out of Penn State four years ago.

Now, Parsons is due for a serious raise – and it could be enough to make owner Jerry Jones squirm. After all, he might just be the best player on the most valuable team in world sports. 

Others like Indianapolis’ Kwity Paye and Houston’s Danielle Hunter could also reap the rewards of a re-set market.

While defensive secondary players won’t likely move the needle, they too could benefit from the ripples of a new market. Players like the Eagles’ Reed Blankenship could be in line for a raise if Philadelphia wants to hang on to one of their key defensive leaders.

In sum, the Garrett contract doesn’t just set him up as one of the most well-paid players in the league. It tees up the chance for those in his orbit to reap financial incentives unthought of in recent years.

Now, the only question that remains is if the owners will play hardball – or if they’ll pony up the cash to drive the market even higher.