The Kansas City Chiefs still have a major need on the defensive line after the first few weeks of free agency. It can easily be addressed with the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, especially with the top of the draft being rich with elite edge rushers. However, there are also other ways they can solve that problem. It’s worth mentioning that the other ways will cost them dearly.

If you told me there was a world where the Chiefs could have the two best players in the NFL, I’d have told you that you’re crazy. However, it’s starting to become clear that there’s a path for the Cleveland Browns to be willing to trade away superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett. The best part of that for Kansas City is that it’s extremely doable for them, despite the financial challenges they have faced this offseason.

The Chiefs can put together a trade package for Myles Garrett

The Chiefs don’t have a lot to give up, especially in this draft. However, they can give up a package for Garrett that the Browns may find suitable—a deal worth more than what the Dallas Cowboys got for Micah Parsons.

The Chiefs can send their 2026 first-round pick at No. 9 and keep their later first-round pick from the Los Angeles Rams in the trade for Trent McDuffie. Additionally, the Chiefs can send their 2027 first- and second-round picks. And, if that’s still not enough, why not throw in a young, promising player like Ashton Gillotte, a guy the Chiefs won’t have much use for anymore if they land Garrett.

Can you imagine the Chiefs having the two best players in the NFL? Patrick Mahomes would open up an even bigger window to continue winning Super Bowls, a window many think is now closed because of the ages of Travis Kelce and Chris Jones.

Kansas City currently sits at $6.7 million in cap space, but can still restructure Jones contract, amongst others to open up significant cap space. The Chiefs have only restructured the contract of Mahomes this offseason.

Insight into the Myles Garrett situation with the Browns to understand the trade chances

A calendar year can change a lot, and the Browns appear to be a prime example right now. A year ago, Cleveland waited out a trade demand from Myles Garrett, and the two sides eventually agreed to a $120 million extension. Fast forward a year, and it now looks like No. 95 could be on the move before long. Even if the Browns are saying they aren’t trading Garrett, it’s easy to look past.

The Browns and Garrett recently agreed to move the option bonus date in his contract from March 25 to seven days before the start of the season. Shifting the $29.2 million option bonus trigger for each year of the new deal provides no real cap benefit. Instead, it gives Cleveland flexibility within a potential trade window, as they would be unlikely to move Garrett after paying the bonus for the current league year. With the money counting against the Browns in 2026, the acquiring team would only have just over a $9 million cap hit for the 2026 season before it rises in the future.

At the very least, Cleveland has to be open to moving Garrett if they believe the return could accelerate a rebuild and help them get back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2023 season. When the Dallas Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, they received two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Any conversation about trading Garrett would likely have to start with two first-round picks, plus either a proven starter or additional draft capital.

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year remains at the top of his game at 30 years old, coming off a record-breaking 23-sack season. Garrett has stated he intends to break the all-time sack record within the next five years, meaning any acquiring team would be getting a player motivated to perform at a very high level for at least another half-decade. Given how well the All-Pro pass rusher has maintained his health throughout his NFL career, it’s a realistic goal — especially if he can produce another 20-plus sack season.

Cleveland may decide it’s better to move Garrett post-June 1 for cap reasons, but they can move him before the 2026 draft as well. A situation no one should be surprised about if they hear the news break of trade because it’s not quite a secret anymore the Browns look to be open to moving Garrett. — Brandon Little, A to Z Sports Cleveland