Terron Armstead was on some great teams during his 12-year NFL career with the Saints and Dolphins, but the retired tackle thinks the 2026 Los Angeles Rams could be the best team in NFL history.
“If this roster is healthy, I see no reason why they don’t go undefeated,” Armstead said in a recent sit-down with Rich Eisen. They were discussing the implications of the trade that brought Myles Garrett to the Rams.
Is it possible for the Rams to go undefeated?
Of course it is; it’s been done before by the
1972 Miami Dolphins, but only in a 14-game season. Could it be done today?
The 1972 Dolphins
Don Shula was hired by the Dolphins in 1970 to replace George Wilson, who apparently had a real eye for talent but lacked the coaching skills to capitalize on it. Wilson was bitter after being fired and suggested Shula had inherited a ready-made team.
In 1970, the Dolphins went 10-4 and reached the playoffs for the first time. They returned in ‘71 and defeated the KC Chiefs in the longest game in NFL history, 82 minutes and 40 seconds of game clock. Then, after shutting out Shula’s former team, the Colts, in the AFC Championship game, they were humbled by the Dallas Cowboys, 24-3, in the Super Bowl.
In 1972, the Dolphins were superb on both sides of the ball, leading the league in both points scored and points against. The running back tandem of Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris became the first teammates to both run for over 1,000 yards in a season. They were definitely a run first offense.
The Dolphin’s defense that year was nicknamed the “No Name’ defense by Cowboys’ head coach Tom Landry due to their lack of high-profile players, but they gave a masterclass in cohesive defensive play.
2026 Rams
Is Armstead right? Can the Rams do the unthinkable and have a perfect season? Has GM Les Snead assembled such a good squad? I don’t see why not; all the pieces are in place.
On offense, the 2025 Rams led the league in scoring last year with 518 points, and, with the exception of Tutu Atwell, all of the relevant starters have returned for this season. Those would include:
- MVP Matthew Stafford
- Receptions leader Puka Nacua
- Touchdown leader Davante Adams
- Perennial 1,000-yard rusher Kyren Williams
With the exciting prospect of the potential of head coach Sean McVay’s new twists with ‘13’ personnel offensive schemes, this offense could improve.
On defense, the Rams did a terrific job of self-scouting, recognizing their greatest weaknesses and making moves to improve. And boy, did they ever.
- The Rams acquired All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs via trade. They gave up the No. 29 overall first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a 2026 fifth-round pick, a 2026 sixth-round pick, and a 2027 third-rounder, then promptly turned around and redid his contract, making him the highest-paid corner in the league.
- The Rams then signed former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson to a three-year, $51 million contract with $34 million guaranteed.
- The icing on the cake, of course, was the Rams trading for Myles Garrett. They gave up Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick.
While the Rams were 10th in PPG allowed last year, these changes could improve that standing; in my opinion, they are at minimum a top-three defense this season.
Can it be done?
Looking at the Rams’ opponents this season, I’d be hard-pressed to pick one, in any individual game, to beat the Rams. On paper, they should be favored in every game this year—on paper.
But as we all know, the football is not round; it takes funny bounces that can drastically change a game, and most importantly, the injury gods have to be smiling for the whole season. The 2007 New England Patriots went 16-0 and then reached the Super Bowl at 18-0, but found out that even the New York Giants could beat them.
The 1972 Dolphins led the league in both offense and defense. This Rams team could do the same thing, but they’ll have to do it over three more games.
The Rams would need an almost perfect record with bounces and injuries to have a perfect season. Do I think it will happen? No, but there’s at least one person out there who believes it’s in the realm of possibility.
