Myles Garrett, the name synonymous with dominance at the edge, had officially joined the Los Angeles Rams. It wasn't just a trade — it was a seismic shift. The Rams, once chasing ghosts, are now Super Bowl favorites.
How it happened
The trade was blockbuster from start to finish. Cleveland sent rising defensive tackle Jared Verse and a bundle of top-tier draft picks to Los Angeles in exchange for one of the league’s most feared pass rushers. For the Browns, it was a painful but necessary sacrifice to reset the clock on the franchise’s defense. For the Rams, it was a statement.
With Aaron Donald now retired, the Rams’ defense had lost its anchor. Myles Garrett was brought in to replace that gravitational pull, the kind that makes quarterbacks second-guess everything from their drop to their read. The move also included adding cornerback Jaylen Watson, a proven stopper in coverage, rounding out a defense that now ranks as one of the deepest in the league.
The ripple effect
Philadelphia traded A.J. Brown to New England, giving the Patriots a No. 1 target to stretch the field. Meanwhile, Malik Willis, a Green Bay product with flashes of brilliance, signed a $67.5 million deal in Miami. Las Vegas also made a splash, bringing in center Tyler Linderbaum to anchor their offensive line.
Each move was calculated. Each was bold. And all pointed toward one thing — the 2026 season is going to be wild. The Rams didn’t just upgrade their roster; they sent a message to the rest of the NFC that they’re not interested in waiting for their turn.