A Day Filled with Unlikely Foes, Storylines, and a Reunion in the Meadowlands

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. AP Photo/Terrance Williams

June 1, 2026, quickly became one of the busiest days of the NFL offseason.

Rumors have been swirling all month on A.J. Brown potentially being traded to New England on Monday, and that has officially been inked. Within hours of Odell Beckham returning to the New York Giants, the Los Angeles Rams perhaps changed the entire course of the season by trading for 2025 DPOY Myles Garrett. Then it was one-time Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson, who announced his retirement from the NFL career, joining CBS Sports.

Each of these moves carry their own significance, but together they reshaped the landscape of the upcoming 2026–27 NFL season.

So, here are my current takeaways from Monday’s blockbuster mania around the league.

Cleveland Browns agree to trade the Reigning DPOY to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Jared Verse and picks

On Monday afternoon, many did not expecting a blockbuster trade. Especially not with the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns.

Announced by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelessero on X, the Browns are trading the 2025 unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, to Los Angeles in exchange for star edge rusher Jared Verse, a first-rounder, and more.

During his nine-year tenure in Cleveland, the former Aggie has put up an average of 125.5 career sacks, 149 tackles for loss (TFL), 412 combined tackles, seven Pro-Bowl seasons and All-Pro honors, two DPOY seasons (including one in 2023 where Garrett finished 10th in MVP voting).

That’s one hell of a résumé, and one hell of a player Los Angeles is getting.

Oh, and not to mention he’s coming off his best season yet at 30-years-old, passing Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record with 23.0, and 39 QB hits.

As for Verse, he has cemented himself as one of the best young outside linebackers in the NFL currently.

• Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Era Comes to a Resolution

After a memorable nine years with the Cleveland Browns, one filled with All-Pros, Pro Bowls, playoff appearances, laughter and heartbreak, all great things must come to an end.

Not only has Garrett maintained a signature style of play that offenses have yet to counter, but he has also been a staple nationwide.

Donating in April of 2025 to Virginia’s Hampton University, honoring his mom’s former school, custom cleats for My Cause My Cleats, and more. With Odell Beckham Jr returning to New York after seven years, I would love to see Garrett return back to Believaland years down the line, even if it’s a one-day contract.

• Cleveland Browns add a young, talented, Defensive End

The former Florida State prospect Jared Verse returns back to his hometown state; Ohio.

Jared Verse during his two-year stint in L.A, received the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year, has maintained two consecutive Pro Bowl seasons, and has accumulated a career average of 12 sacks.

This puts Verse as one of the best defensive players in a young Cleveland defensive room, where he gets to pair with the reigning DROY linebacker Carson Schwesinger.

• Officially a New Era in Cleveland

As overused as that statement is — it’s true. Myles Garrett was one of the few Cleveland Browns remaining on their current roster that was on the infamous 2017 roster. And now that he’s gone, it’s all on new head coach Todd Monken, general manager Andrew Berry, and the young Browns to steer the franchise in the right direction.

• Garrett Finally gets his Wish

One year ago, Garrett requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns stating his desire to win, despite having two additional years left from his 2020 five-year, $125 million extension. Since Garrett has been in Cleveland, he has reached the playoffs twice (2020, 2023), winning one game in 2020 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

• Los Angeles is going All In

Looking at the Los Angeles Rams current roster, they’re built for the Super Bowl.

With Matthew Stafford resigning with the Rams on a one-year, $55 million extension in May and Los Angeles making a handful of defensive additions this offseason, signing both Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson from Kansas City, the Rams are heavy favorites to win their second title this decade.

As the famous quote goes, “Strike the Iron while it’s Hot” and now Los Angeles has officially added another star to their already rich history. And to add, what about some “California Love” by 2Pac?

All things considered, some acquisitions and trades are going to hurt more than others, and this one hurts. It’s very early into this trade to say this, but emotion wise I’d compare this trade to the Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff exchange in 2021.

Hopefully both teams end up winning the trade, as the Lions and Rams did five years prior. Since Verse has been drafted, he has been an exceptional outside linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams, while also gaining a mentorship with Rams’ great Aaron Donald.

Yet again, the city of Cleveland has been damaged even more by the football gods, trading away 30-year-old Garrett to Los Angeles, making them a top-three contender heading into next year to win the Lombardi.

And with the rumors emerging of 35-year-old Aaron Donald coming out of retirement to play beside Garrett, Los Angeles is the team to beat in 2026.

New York Giants sign Odell Beckham Jr along with 2 additional receivers

“Looking forward to hopefully getting an opportunity to play this year, and hopefully, this is kind of just a starting point,” Odell Beckham Jr stated to NFL analyst Kay Adams during March’s Fanatics Flag Football Event.

Whether it was his performance at the Flag Football event, his work ethic, or his iconic tenure in New York, the former LSU standout has earned another opportunity with the Giants after a seven-year absence.

Since leaving New York, Odell’s NFL career has been filled with ups and downs. Despite earning a Lombardi, Beckham’s injuries have always haunted him even at the biggest stage. After spending 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, Beckham remained unsigned as teams showed minimal interest — until today.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 33-year-old is signing with the New York Giants after his successful workout. 12 years after New York selected him in the first round, Beckham is returning to the franchise were he became a star.

Additionally, New York signed both veteran wideouts Juju Smith-Schuster and Braxton Berrios.

Schuster is a Super Bowl champion, gathering a total of 5,624 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns, a 69.7 catch percentage, and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2018.

Berrios has a career total of 140 receptions for 1,360 yards, while also adding four rushing touchdowns. In 2021, Berrios was named to first-team All-Pro as a return specialist. His returning ability fill a need for a team like New York, as their previous returner Gunner Olszewski, suffered an Achilles tear that may sideline him for the entire season.

• Veteran Leadership to New York’s Receiving Room

With New York signing three veteran wide receivers on Monday, New York has bolstered their young receiver corps with experience. One of New York’s X-factors is Malik Nabers. The former LSU standout has potential to be one of the league’s premier receivers.

Odell is also a former Tiger, ultimately giving Nabers an opportunity to learn from one of the most talented receivers in franchise history. Although Beckham is no longer in his prime, his experience, and route-running expertise could help the 22-year-old establish himself as one of the best receivers in the league.

• A Come-back Story for the Ages

When New York traded Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns in the spring of 2019, many fans hoped he would eventually return later in his career. But, for a player of his caliber it happened before. Randy Moss was traded to the Oakland Raiders in 2005, after seven seasons in Minnesota. Many Vikings fans were distraught and hoped he would return again.

Then came 2010, where Minnesota traded for Moss from New England. Although the 33-year-old Moss didn’t have much of a offensive impact for Minneapolis, his return showed that even iconic departures don’t always mark the end to a player’s connection to a city.

• Entering a New System with Familiar Faces

The New York Giants have been one of the busier teams this offseason. Whether it was trading Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals, hiring coach John Harbaugh, and acquiring a load of players in the offseason, the Giants certainly have a lot of optimism heading into 2026.

Hitherto, this year’s New York Giants roster has brought in several former Ravens to their roster and coaching department, adding toughness and veteran experience to a young offense. And with Beckham being a former Raven (2023), he enters a coaching environment that is familiar.

Odell Beckham on the New York Giants (for a second time) may not be as explosive as he was in his earlier years, however his legacy still remains. About seven months ago, Beckham made an appearance on The Pivot Podcast to discuss his life, and famously stated:

“You definitely gotta see me in that blue thing before I get out of here. it’s my creed to the fans. I want to give that back to the Giants.”

It looks now as if that creed has been fulfilled. Welcome back OBJ!

Russell Wilson joins CBS as a Sports Analyst, retiring from the NFL

Russell Wilson, one of the iconic quarterbacks throughout the 2010s, has retired from the NFL to pursue broadcasting. Joining CBS’s sports analyst team alongside former Steelers’ head coach Bill Cowher, James Brown, and Nate Burleson.

Former Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson warms up before a 2022 NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. (Ralph Freso / AP)

Throughout his career, Wilson has passed for 46,966 yards, 353 touchdowns, and 114 interceptions. Earning a career completion rate of 64.6% and a 99.3 passer rating.

Although Wilson’s one-year stay in East Rutherford wasn’t pretty, it was a season of embracing leadership and the offensive Xs and Os to the young Jaxon Dart.

With his best game (and personally my favorite Russell Wilson game since leaving Seattle) coming in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, posting a 450-yard three-touchdown vintage masterclass, Wilson was later benched after starting the season 0–3.

Now that the New York Giants are fully bought in on their quarterback of the future, Wilson is doing the same elsewhere. I’m rooting for Wilson and will be excited to see where his future is from here.

With my experience watching NFL games as a fan, quarterbacks thrive on explaining in-depth analysis of plays. And often can tell what happens before a play begins. Tony Romo, Troy Aikman, Tom Brady, the list goes on.

A.J. Brown signs with the New England Patriots

Note: (this piece is still being refined, more will be released soon)

The confrontations with Nick Sirianni and teammates, statements on the state of the Eagles on social media, and a lack of a role in the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense, have all been a source of tension between A.J. Brown and the Eagles.