Bengals’ Pass Protectors Breathing Sigh of Relief After Myles Garrett Trade

Garrett racked up 16 of his 125.5 career sacks against the Bengals in nine seasons playing for the Cleveland Browns.

Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass against Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter of the game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on Jan., 4, 2026. Dylan Buell/Getty Images

The Cincinnati Bengals are breathing a sigh of relief now that Myles Garrett is out of the division.

The former Cleveland Browns defensive end terrorized the Bengals twice a year for the past nine seasons. But he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster trade Monday. The two Bengals players who faced him the most—left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and right tackle Amarius Mims—were thrilled, but were clear-eyed that they were still going to face an incredible challenge with Jared Verse coming to the AFC North.