The acquisition of Myles Garrett is another reminder that general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay are always at the forefront of NFL creativity. Garrett arrives in Los Angeles as one of the NFL’s premier defensive players, bringing elite pass-rushing production and a resume that includes multiple All-Pro selections and a Defensive Player of the Year award.
While the trade undoubtedly raises the Rams’ ceiling, not everyone emerges from the deal in the same position. Here are the biggest
winners and losers from the Rams’ decision to bring Garrett to Los Angeles.
Winner: Matthew Stafford
The biggest winner may not even play defense.
Matthew Stafford has spent the latter stages of his career chasing another Super Bowl ring, and the addition of Garrett significantly improves the Rams’ chances. While Garrett won’t help Stafford directly on offense, elite defenses create shorter fields, force turnovers, and help protect leads.
The Rams already possessed one of the NFL’s most promising young defensive fronts. Adding Garrett gives Los Angeles a legitimate opportunity to field the league’s most disruptive pass rush. That means more possessions for Stafford and less pressure to win shootouts every week.
For a quarterback nearing the end of a Hall of Fame-caliber career, that’s a massive benefit.
Winner: Myles Garrett
Of course, the man that was traded himself goes from a franchise suffering into purgatory to Super Bowl favorite. Garrett not only gets to play in a beautiful stadium, but he has a loaded defense to get after the quarterback.
Winner: Les Snead
Once again, Les Snead proved he is willing to take risks in pursuit of championships.
The Rams’ general manager has built a reputation for aggressive roster construction. Trading for stars such as Jalen Ramsey and Matthew Stafford helped deliver a Super Bowl title, and Garrett represents the latest swing for the fences.
Snead clearly identified a rare opportunity to acquire one of the league’s best defensive players and acted decisively. If Garrett helps bring another championship to Los Angeles, this move could become one of the defining trades of Snead’s tenure.
If the Rams win Super Bowl LXI and/or coaxes Aaron Donald out of retirement with this trade, it has to go down as the greatest trade in NFL history.
Les Snead’s “F them picks” mantra has taken the NFL by storm and has vaulted him into the upper echelon of general managers in the NFL, if not the best.
Winner: Rams Secondary
Few position groups will benefit more than the Rams’ defensive backs.
Coverage and pass rush have always worked hand-in-hand. The faster quarterbacks are forced to make decisions, the easier life becomes for cornerbacks and safeties.
With Garrett, Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner, and Byron Young attacking opposing quarterbacks, offensive lines will struggle to account for everyone. Quarterbacks will have less time to scan the field, leading to hurried throws and increased turnover opportunities.
The Rams secondary suddenly finds itself in a much more favorable situation every Sunday.
Winner: Aaron Donald?
Aaron Donald is retired. But maybe not for long. If Donald chooses to return, he gets to line up next to a 2x defensive player of the year while he himself is a 3x defensive player of the year. Whoa.
Winner & Loser: Byron Young
No player embodies both sides of this trade more than Byron Young.
On the positive side, Young should see more favorable one-on-one opportunities than ever before. Offensive coordinators will devote significant resources toward slowing Garrett and Verse, which could free Young to produce some of the best numbers of his career.
However, Garrett’s arrival also creates questions about Young’s long-term role. Its unlikely that Byron Young is signed to an extension now with Garrett in the fold.
In addition, Young was close friends with Jared Verse as the two worked in tandem over the last two years. It’s a painful loss for #0 to see his close friend and teammate traded.
Loser: Jared Verse
Calling Jared Verse a loser in this situation might seem strange, but there are reasons for concern.
Verse is coming off a breakout start to his NFL career and appeared poised to become the unquestioned centerpiece of the Rams’ defense. Garrett’s arrival changes that narrative immediately.
National attention will naturally gravitate toward Garrett. Additionally, the Rams are now separating the former Florida State teammates, Verse and Braden Fiske, from being the primary faces of the defensive rebuild.
Verse should still thrive on the field, but his individual recognition may take a hit.
Loser: Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks already faced the challenge of dealing with a rising Rams defense.
Now they must prepare for Garrett twice every season.
Seattle’s offensive line has been a recurring concern in recent years, and adding Garrett to a front that already includes Ford, Turner, Fiske, and Young creates a nightmare matchup. The balance of power in the NFC West may have shifted even further toward Los Angeles.
That is bad news for the reigning Super Bowl champs and fore the entire NFC West for that matter.
Loser: NFL Offensive Lines
Good luck.
Offensive coordinators around the league now have another problem to solve when facing Los Angeles. Double-teaming Garrett creates opportunities elsewhere. Focusing on Verse leaves Garrett isolated. Sliding protection toward one side exposes vulnerabilities on the other.
There simply aren’t enough blockers available to consistently handle the collection of talent the Rams can deploy.
The Rams have assembled a defensive front capable of overwhelming even quality offensive lines. As a result, the biggest loser of all may be every quarterback and offensive line scheduled to face Los Angeles this season.
Loser: Jets & QB Needy Teams
The Browns now have a little bit more ammunition in the 2027 NFL Draft to ensure that they get the quarterback next April. If they are not the No. 1 overall pick, they have the Rams first rounder to be able to leapfrog a number of teams ahead of them.
