NFL Reshaped by June Blockbusters: Myles Garrett to Rams, A.J. Brown to Patriots

June 1st is usually a quiet salary-cap milestone in the National Football League, but in 2026, it served as the detonation point for a massive realignment of power.[1]

Within hours, two blockbuster trades fundamentally altered the championship picture, sending reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams and star wideout A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots.[2][6]

The sheer scale of the moves—combined with a record-breaking extension for Atlanta Falcons receiver Drake London—has front offices scrambling to adjust their strategies before training camps even open.[1][4]

The most seismic shift occurred in Los Angeles, where the Rams acquired Garrett from the Cleveland Browns in a massive exchange of talent and draft capital.[2]

To land the superstar pass rusher, the Rams sent 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick to Cleveland.[2][3]

For the Rams, who finished as the NFC runners-up in 2025, the acquisition is a clear and aggressive maneuver designed to push them over the top. Garrett is coming off a historic season in which he set the NFL single-season record with 23.0 sacks.[2][6]

Cleveland, meanwhile, parts with a franchise icon but secures a formidable war chest for the future. By landing Verse alongside three premium draft picks, the Browns have amassed the ammunition needed to potentially trade up for a franchise quarterback in the 2027 draft.[2][3]

In the AFC, the New England Patriots made their own aggressive play, landing A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection.[2][3]

New England has been searching for a true alpha receiver to pair with young quarterback Drake Maye after moving on from Stefon Diggs. Brown, who boasts four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, provides an immediate, game-tilting presence on the perimeter.[6]

Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman is drawing praise from analysts for his navigation of the deal. By moving Brown—who reportedly wanted a change of scenery—the Eagles secured a highly valuable future first-round pick while clearing $40 million in salary cap charges over the next two seasons.[2][3]

While trades dominated the headlines, the wide receiver financial market also experienced a massive reset. The Atlanta Falcons signed Drake London to a four-year, $141 million extension.[4][7]

The deal includes a staggering $100 million in guaranteed money and elevates London's average annual value to $35.25 million, making him the third-highest-paid receiver in the league.[4][7]

Analysts noted that the massive jump in compensation makes the historic $140 million contract Justin Jefferson signed two years ago look like a relative bargain, setting a new and highly expensive benchmark for upcoming extensions across the league.[7]

The frenzy of June business wasn't limited to the offensive side of the ball. The Seattle Seahawks locked down outside linebacker Derick Hall with a three-year, $42 million extension that includes $21 million guaranteed.[5]

Hall, a standout from Seattle's top-ranked 2025 scoring defense, was rewarded for his rugged edge-setting and crucial plays during their Super Bowl LX victory.[5]

As the dust settles on the June transaction window, the league's hierarchy looks markedly different. Teams that felt they were one piece away have mortgaged their futures, while others have quietly built the foundations for their next era.[1][6]