CLEVELAND (AP) – Myles Garrett’s first sack as a pro is filled with money.
The No. 1 overall pick in last month’s NFL draft, Garrett signed his four-year rookie contract with the Cleveland Browns, who gave the speedy defensive end an estimated $30.4 million package that includes a $20.3 million guaranteed signing bonus.
One week after displaying his dazzling skills at the team’s rookie minicamp, Garrett got the business side of things out of the way by signing his deal Friday. The Browns posted a video on Twitter of the former Texas A&M All-American filling out the contract’s paperwork while Seal’s “Kiss From A Rose” played in the background.
The Browns are counting on Garrett, whose outside interests include writing poetry and paleontology, to energize their turnaround. Cleveland went 1-15 last season, has had just two winnings seasons since its 1999 expansion reboot and hasn’t been to the playoffs in 15 years.
Blessed with a running back’s burst, Garrett recorded 32½ sacks in three seasons for the Aggies. He was limited by a sprained ankle last season but still played at a dominant level, and the Browns didn’t pass up the chance to take him in a draft loaded with defensive talent.