Rams go all-in, trading for Myles Garrett to chase a title after a title-game heartbreak

The Los Angeles Rams came up just short in 2025, losing in the NFC Championship Game, and they responded by going all-in. Head coach Sean McVay's team spent the offseason loading up on defense and reinforcing its roster for another run, and the moves were aggressive enough to install the Rams as the NFC West favorite in one of the league's toughest divisions.

Landing Myles Garrett

The blockbuster was the acquisition of Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Browns — a franchise-altering addition of one of the most dominant pass rushers in football. Adding a talent of Garrett's caliber transforms the Rams' defense and gives them a game-wrecker capable of defining playoff games. It's the kind of move a team makes when it believes its championship window is wide open.

Rebuilding the secondary

The Rams' defensive backfield was a clear weakness — it was shredded in the NFC title game — and Los Angeles attacked it. The team traded a first-round pick to Kansas City for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and signed cornerback Jaylen Watson, dramatically upgrading the back end. Paired with Garrett's pass rush, the defense could be a genuine strength.

An eye on the future

In a move that surprised some, the Rams used a first-round pick on quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13 — an heir apparent to the aging Matthew Stafford. Stafford remains the starter and the engine of a Super Bowl push, but Los Angeles wisely began planning for life after him.

Season outlook

The Rams enter 2026 as the NFC West favorite and a legitimate Super Bowl contender. With Stafford leading a potent offense, Garrett anchoring a revamped defense, and an upgraded secondary, Los Angeles has the roster to win it all — if Stafford and the key pieces stay healthy. The division is a gauntlet, featuring the champion Seahawks and a strong 49ers team, and the schedule is demanding. But few teams did more to raise their ceiling this offseason. The Rams are all-in, and 2026 is a championship-or-bust season in Los Angeles.