The 2026 Los Angeles Rams boast unquestionably the best roster—on paper—in the Sean McVay era and possibly ever. Those are high expectations to put on a team that has yet to play a game when others have won Super Bowls and cemented themselves in NFL history.
If the Rams do not make good on their championship promise over the upcoming season, many will point to their high profile additions as yet another example that the “dream team” model has again failed.
LA added the following notable players over
the offseason:
- Myles Garrett, EDGE
- Trent McDuffie, CB
- Jaylen Watson, CB
- Ty Simpson, QB
- Max Klare, TE
One historical parallel that can be drawn to this year’s Rams team is the 2011 “Dream Team” Philadelphia Eagles. Over the course of a single offseason, Philly attempted to load up for a Super Bowl run. Their additions hold many similarities to who recently joined LA.
- Nnamdi Asomugha, CB (free agency)
- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB (trade)
- Jason Babin, EDGE (off 12-sack season)
- Cullen Jenkins, DT
- Steve Smith, WR (NYG)
- Ronnie Brown, RB
- Evan Mathis, OG
- Vince Young, QB (backup to Michael Vick)
Parallels to Rams
Following a season of defensive regression, the Eagles tried to fix secondary struggles by acquiring not one but two high-profile, veteran corners. Similar to LA, they signed Asomugha (Watson) to a large free agent contract and then traded for Rodgers-Cromartie (McDuffie). While this is somewhat in reverse order because the Rams’ free agent deal to Watson should be considered middle market, their trade for McDuffie was one of the largest return compensations for a corner in recent memory.
While history may not remember Babin as a great EDGE rusher, Philly signed him following a 12.5-sack season and he posted 18 sacks with the 2011 team. This was a significant addition for that era of the NFL. Babin paid great dividends for the Eagles. The Rams hope Garrett can do the same and his best production is not behind him.
One other notable but relatively minor similarity is that the Eagles also signed Young as a promising backup to Vick. Andy Reid had already revived the career of Vick, why couldn’t he do the same for Young once Vick’s playing days were over? It was initially viewed as a multi-year addition though Young lasted only a single season in Philly and retired shortly thereafter. The intention was similar to the Rams’ usage of their top draft pick on Ty Simpson.
Why the “Dream Team” failed
At risk of oversimplification but in order to keep the conversation broad initially, the Eagles’ “Dream Team” failed because NFL roster building is more complicated than simply collecting talent. Players much compliment each other and match the team’s scheme. Bringing in the most talented individuals may work in the Madden video game but not on the field and in practice.
The first micro reason why the Eagles failed is that the Asomugha acquisition did not work out nearly as well as hoped. One explanation is that Asomugha did not fit Philly’s defensive scheme. He was an island, man corner with the Raiders before joining the Eagles who were historically a zone-heavy team. Rodgers-Cromartie aside from him was a zone-first corner.
And ultimately the defensive scheme took the fall for the demise of the Eagles.
Juan Castillo, whom Reid promoted out of loyalty from his position as offensive line coach (little defensive experience), was an immediate failure. Many blamed him for not getting production out of a very talented group, although the root cause was maybe that the defensive additions did not fit Philly’s historical scheme either.
In turn Reid’s days were also numbered. After the “Dream Team” finished 8-8, Reid oversaw another disappointing season in 2012. He was fired the following offseason.
Managing sky-high expectations
The pressure is on for the Rams. They are expected to finish the season with a Super Bowl victory months before training camp even begins.
The team itself has set the mark at Super Bowl or bust. Anything short of a championship will be a disappointment.
That is a difficult way to live, as the Eagles’ “Dream Team” showed 15 years ago.
There will be adversity. Attrition will set in. The Rams may not be as good on paper at the end of the season compared to how they look now. The needle of expectations does not recalibrate.
But to the Rams’ credit they are saying the right things. They understand perfectly that each team starts 0-0 and the ball must be rolled back up the hill. NFC Championship entrants are not entitled to make it back to the same point just because they were there a year ago.
The pressure is on because the Rams have applied it themselves. That can be a scary way to live. They cannot lose sight of the ultimate goal.
