The Los Angeles Rams have never been afraid to make bold moves when they believe a championship window is open. General manager Les Snead has built a reputation for aggressively pursuing elite talent, whether through blockbuster trades or splashy free-agent signings. Snead has once again made his a move, this time with a trade for Cleveland Browns superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett as of Monday afternoon.
The blockbuster reported by Adam Schefter is causing shockwaves through the NFL, especially because of the Rams willingness to trade their 2024 first round pick, Jared Verse.
The Rams trade for Myles Garrett reveals three critical factors on why the Rams were eager to make a move for the reigning defensive player of the year.
1. Rising Salaries for EDGE Rushers
The edge rusher market continues to explode across the NFL. Every offseason seems to bring a new record-setting contract, and teams that wait too long to acquire elite pass rushers often find themselves paying substantially more than they anticipated.
Will Anderson Jr just reset the market for EDGE rushers this offseason when he signed a 3 year $150 million deal ($50 AAV).
Garrett remains one of the league’s premier defensive players and has consistently produced double-digit sack totals throughout his career. While his contract is expensive, there is a strong argument that acquiring him now would be less costly than attempting to agree to an extension with Jared Verse. Because of Will Anderson Jr’s deal, the Rams may not want to exceed a $50 million AAV commitment.
The Rams are already preparing for future contract negotiations with several young players. If they believe Garrett can maintain his elite level of play for several more seasons, locking in a proven superstar may be preferable so that they can have Garrett and other young stars.
I understand that Jared Verse is still on his rookie deal and the Rams are paying more upfront for the cost of Myles Garrett. But this move definitely has an eye towards 2028 and 2029 and keeping their books in a stable place with Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner, and others in need of extensions.
2. Jared Verse’s Limited Pass Rush Arsenal
Jared Verse enjoyed a strong start to his NFL career and has all the physical tools necessary to become one of the league’s elite defenders. His explosiveness, strength, and relentless motor have already made him a difficult matchup for opposing offensive tackles.
However, Verse has room to grow as a pass rusher. Like many young edge defenders, much of his success has come from overwhelming opponents with athleticism and power. While those traits are valuable, the NFL’s top pass rushers typically develop a deep collection of counters, hand techniques, and setup moves that allow them to consistently win against elite offensive linemen.
That is what Myles Garrett provides. Jared Verse has yet to show that he has a finesse move in his bag of tricks.
Few players in NFL history have displayed the variety of pass-rush moves Garrett possesses. He wins with speed, power, leverage, technique, and instincts.
3. Rams Desire to Win Now
Perhaps the biggest reason the Garrett trade makes sense is the Rams’ continued commitment to winning immediately.
Despite undergoing a brief roster transition over the past few seasons, Los Angeles has never embraced a full rebuild. The franchise remains built around the idea of competing for championships every year.
Matthew Stafford is still leading the offense, and the Rams have surrounded him with an impressive collection of weapons. On defense, the emergence of young stars has created optimism that the unit can become one of the NFL’s best. Adding Garrett continues to raise the bar that the Rams want to win now and moving forward.
The Rams have repeatedly demonstrated that they are willing to sacrifice future assets for proven talent when they believe a Super Bowl opportunity exists. The acquisitions of players such as Jalen Ramsey, Matthew Stafford, and Von Miller helped deliver a championship in the past. Garrett would fit that same blueprint.
A defensive front featuring Myles Garrett, Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, Kobie Turner, and Byron Young is guaranteed to overwhelm opposing offensive lines. Few teams are able to match that level of talent and disruption. Last year, Jared Verse could not deliver in big moments when the defense needed a stop. Myles Garrett should be able to deliver on that promise.
For a franchise that consistently prioritizes championship contention over long-term draft accumulation, trading for Garrett doubles down on the desire to finish the 2026 season with the Lombardi back in Los Angeles.
