If you blinked on June 1, you might have missed one of the wildest moves in recent Rams history.
The Los Angeles Rams landed Myles Garrett, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, in a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns—and Rams fans understandably lost their minds.
Because let’s be honest: seeing Myles Garrett and the Los Angeles Rams in the same sentence still feels a little surreal.
But this wasn’t just another offseason roster move. The Rams made a massive statement about how seriously they’re taking the 2026 season.
Let’s break down why this trade has Rams fans buzzing, without needing a playbook to understand it.
Wait, Who Is Myles Garrett?
If defense isn’t really your thing—no judgment, it’s not everyone’s favorite part of football—here’s the short version:
Myles Garrett is one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL.
And his 2025 season was ridiculous. Garrett recorded 23 sacks and 33 tackles for loss, leading the league in tackles for loss while setting a new NFL single-season sack record. He also won the AP Defensive Player of the Year award unanimously.
In other words, he’s the guy offensive coordinators have to worry about before the ball is even snapped. Now he’s bringing that problem to Los Angeles. And that’s a very, very good thing for Rams fans.
The Rams Didn’t Exactly Get Him for Free
Here’s where this trade gets really interesting. The Rams didn’t simply send Cleveland a couple of late-round picks and call it a day. Los Angeles gave up Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick to get Garrett.
That’s a serious investment. Verse was a talented young pass rusher who had already become an important part of the Rams’ defense. Giving him up — along with three future draft picks — shows just how strongly the Rams believe Garrett can help them win right now.
And honestly? It feels like the front office looked at the roster and said, “We’re close.” Let’s go get the guy who can put us over the top.
Garrett Isn’t the Only Big Defensive Addition
The Rams’ offseason wasn’t built around just one blockbuster. Earlier in the year, Los Angeles acquired star cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Now you’ve got McDuffie helping strengthen the secondary while Garrett brings a nightmare-inducing pass rush to the front seven. The Rams aren’t simply adding names for the sake of adding names—they’re addressing two critical areas of defense: getting to the quarterback and making life difficult for receivers.
Remember How Close the Rams Were?
The Rams won the NFC West in 2025 and made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. They were literally one win away from the Super Bowl.
This isn’t a team starting from scratch and hoping a couple of big-name additions suddenly turn everything around. This was already a legitimate contender. They had the offense, the quarterback, and the young core—and they had just come painfully close to reaching the Super Bowl.
So instead of sitting back and hoping the same formula would be enough in 2026, the front office decided to make some very aggressive moves. And Myles Garrett might be the biggest statement of all.
And Then There’s That Offense…
Because somehow, we’re almost forgetting about the other side of the ball. Matthew Stafford is coming off an MVP season.
The Rams quarterback put together an MVP campaign in 2025, while Puka Nacua continued establishing himself as one of the NFL’s premier young receivers. And now the Rams also have Davante Adams in the mix.
You’ve got Stafford throwing to Puka and Davante. You’ve got an offense capable of putting serious points on the board. And now you’ve added the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to a defense that also brought in Trent McDuffie.
That’s the kind of roster construction that gets a fan base thinking dangerous thoughts. You know the ones. “Could this actually be our year?”
What This Means for Us as Rams Fans
That’s what makes the Garrett trade so exciting. It’s not just that Myles Garrett is ridiculously talented—it’s what the trade says about the Rams’ mindset.
They’re not playing it safe. They’re not looking five years down the road and saying, “Maybe we’ll be ready then.” They’re looking at a team that came within one game of the Super Bowl and saying, “Let’s take our shot now.”
Of course, giving up that much for one player comes with risk. Garrett has to stay healthy, the defense has to come together, and the rest of the roster still has to perform. That’s football. Nothing is guaranteed. But if you’re a Rams fan, it’s hard not to love the ambition.
The Bottom Line
Myles Garrett in a Rams uniform still feels a little strange to type. But I’m certainly not complaining.
The Rams didn’t make this move because they were rebuilding. They made it because they believe they have a legitimate chance to compete for a championship right now. With an MVP quarterback, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Trent McDuffie, and now Myles Garrett, there’s plenty of reason for Rams fans to be excited about 2026.
Is it guaranteed to end with a Lombardi Trophy? Absolutely not. But after watching this team come one game short last season, I’m perfectly happy watching the front office swing for the fences.
So, Rams fans—are you buying the hype? Is the addition of Myles Garrett enough to push this defense—and this team—all the way to the Super Bowl?
Let us know what you think in the comments. 🐏💙💛