Earlier this year, the NFL reinstated Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.
And when the former No. 1 pick returns to the field, he could do so as an even richer man than he already is.
Last week, the Browns exercised the fifth-year option on Garrett's contract, keeping him under team control through at least 2021. But while the Texas A&M product is now slated to make $15.1 million in 2021, according to Spotrac, that number may ultimately pale in comparison to the terms of his potential extension.
Appearing on the NFL Network on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport revealed that Browns general manager Andrew Berry is working to sign the 2018 Pro Bowl selection to a long-term deal. And in doing so, he revealed that Garrett has a "legitimate chance of being the first $25 million a year pass-rusher."
Currently, Khalil Mack of the Chicago Bears is the NFL's highest-paid pass-rusher with an average annual salary of $23.5 million on the 6-year, $141 million contract extension he signed in 2018. Should Garrett surpass that figure, he would become the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback on an average annual salary basis based on the current figures for the 2020 season.
Through the first 37 games of his NFL career, Garrett has totaled 30.5 sacks -- including 13.5 in a Pro Bowl campaign in 2018 -- before being suspended for the final six games of the 2019 season after striking Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in the head with his helmet during a fight. Rapoport said on Tuesday that he doesn't expect Garrett's actions or the ensuing suspension to affect his negotiations with the Browns.