Myles Garrett signs a 5-year, $125M extension with the Cleveland Browns

Myles Garrett signed a 5-year contract extension with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday worth $125 million, $100 million of which is guaranteed.

OFFICIAL❗️@MylesLGarrett has signed a 5-year contract extension » https://t.co/qmplxeaty5 pic.twitter.com/hFaQEg4Z9U

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 15, 2020

With the extension, Garrett will become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, surpassing Chicago Bears’ linebacker Khalil Mack ($23 million) in terms of annual salary.

Signed, MG⚡️ #ClevelandVsTheWorld pic.twitter.com/LMiCVONaLR

— Myles Garrett ⚡️ (@MylesLGarrett) July 15, 2020

After signing the deal , Garrett thanked the franchise and its fans for embracing him back in 2017, when the Browns selected Garrett with the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

We’re ready to get to work, @MylesLGarrett ✊ pic.twitter.com/IKtNsYgGPO

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 15, 2020

NFL insider Ian Rapoport elaborated on Garrett’s contract extension earlier on Wednesday:

“This has been a long time coming, something that Myles Garrett’s rep Buzz Cook and the Browns have worked on, for not just the last couple of weeks but the last couple months … He had a suspension at the end of 2019. The Browns stuck by him and believed in him, and finally today, they’re gonna pay him.”

From @GMFB: The #Browns and pass-rusher Myles Garrett have a deal on a 5-year, $125M extension that makes him the highest paid defensive player in the NFL… and proves they are sticking by him, big-time. pic.twitter.com/wEED5Ni67p

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2020

Garrett came out of Texas A&M, and his sophomore season served as his breakout year. He was named to the Pro Bowl and selected Second Team All-Pro, after recording 13.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in 16 games.

Last season, Garrett was on pace to surpass his 2018 production, after racking up 10 sacks and 2 forced fumbles through 10 games. However, he was suspended the final 6 games of the season and fined $50,000 for an altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph at the end of a 21-7 Cleveland win on Nov. 14.

The NFL reinstated the 24 year-old Garrett in February.

You know Myles Garrett is great because the Browns don’t ever get dunked on for not taking Patrick Mahomes.

— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) July 15, 2020

Garrett has indeed been a dominant pass-rusher since entering the league, ranking 4th in sacks-per-game (0.82) since 2017, which trails only the New England Patriots’ Chandler Jones, the Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald and the New Orleans Saints’ Cameron Jordan.

Even in a season shortened by his suspension, he led the Browns in sacks, pressures and hurries.

In case you were wondering why the #Browns made Myles Garrett the highest-paid defender in the NFL ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/OepUoIF6oz

— PFF (@PFF) July 15, 2020

While Garrett might be the Browns’ most effective player on the field, Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield is the team’s star.

Mayfield congratulated his teammate on Wednesday.