On Monday, reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns.

Since 2020, Garrett has earned four First-Team All-Pro selections, one Second-Team All-Pro, and a Defensive Player of the Year award. Over the last two seasons, he ranks second in pass-rush win rate behind Micah Parsons despite teams doubling him 30% of the time. Garrett leads the league in forced fumbles, incompletions, and interceptions created through pressure.

Garrett turns 30 in December but still has plenty of elite football ahead of him. Brian Gutekunst has emphasized Green Bay’s urgency to win a championship, and trading for Garrett would reinforce his plea to “ramp up our sense of urgency.”

So, what would it take for the Packers to get a deal done?

Cleveland has no incentive to facilitate a trade. Garrett is a generational talent, and moving him would create a $16.5 million cap hit in 2025. Cleveland also has the NFL’s second-worst cap situation at -$38.63 million, per Over the Cap.

Still, the Green Bay Packers can make a Garrett trade work financially. However, they would likely hesitate to part with multiple first-round picks and possibly a premium player to complete the deal.

The Chicago Bears’ trade for Khalil Mack is a helpful reference point for a potential Garrett deal. In 2018, Chicago sent two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick to the Oakland Raiders for Mack while receiving a second-round pick and a conditional fifth-round pick.

Green Bay was in the conversation for Mack during that offseason. Brian Gutekunst offered two first-round picks, but Chicago outbid them with a higher draft pick. However, even if Gutekunst suddenly changes his philosophy and offers multiple first-round picks for Garrett, plus likely the richest defensive contract in football, a team picking ahead of No. 23 could likely outbid them.

According to The Athletic’s Diana Russini, one NFL general manager believes it would take a first- and second-round pick, or a first, two thirds, and another player to acquire Garrett. However, the idea of them moving three first-round picks for Garrett is “not happening.”

The draft is in Green Bay this year, so it’s difficult to see the Packers passing on a first-round pick. Still, how much does hosting the event play into the decision to pursue Garrett?

In my view, it shouldn’t. The best organizations focus solely on winning. If acquiring a game-changing talent like Garrett could push the Packers closer to a Super Bowl, it’s worth making the trade, even if it means disappointing some fans at the draft.

However, the NFL isn’t the NBA; teams don’t just give in.

Remember, Aaron Rodgers requested a trade in 2021 but played two more seasons in Green Bay. Lamar Jackson asked for a trade in early 2023 before winning his second MVP with the Baltimore Ravens. Organizations only move on from players if it’s in their best interest.

The stars seem aligned for the Packers to be in the conversation for Garrett. He wants to win now, just like Green Bay, and the Packers have the financial flexibility to make it happen. Ultimately, it comes down to whether Brian Gutekunst is comfortable spending the big bucks to bring in a player who could be the Reggie White 2.0 of this organization.

Gutekunst has shown aggression in pursuing pass rushers before, and this offseason could be no different. I believe Green Bay would offer at least two first-round picks, possibly another player, but I don’t see it reaching three first-rounders. Regardless, while the deal would be costly, it would be worth it to boost a pass rush that was 26th in pass-rush win rate, per ESPN.

I don’t usually get my hopes up. When active on the market, Green Bay is usually just “in the conversation.” However, a move for Garrett makes sense for both parties. The Packers will face plenty of competition, so they’d better be ready to open the wallet.