Myles Garrett was supposed to be the straw that stirred the Los Angeles Rams' super-team shake. Talk of them as the unquestioned Super Bowl favorites didn't begin until they pulled off a June blockbuster for the two-time defensive player of the year, trading pro-bowl edge rusher Jared Verse and three draft picks to the Cleveland Browns.
Just six weeks into the season, that talk is already dead. The Browns, not the Rams, are shaping up as big winners of the Garrett deal.
Nothing has gone as planned so far for L.A. Garrett was placed on injured reserve after an underwhelming debut, and the Rams have taken on water without him. Through six weeks, they're 2-4 and last place in the NFC West after Sunday's disappointing loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
In a division with the 49ers and Seahawks, it's not overdramatic to say they're at risk of missing the playoffs altogether.
Meanwhile, the Browns are 4-2 and first place in the AFC North. And that's without a single sack from Verse, who has been underwhelming in his own right. But he's at least taken the field every game this season, which is more than the Rams can say for Garrett. And he's been solid in the run game, ranking fifth among edge rushers in ESPN's run stop win rate rankings. Cleveland has received immediate returns in the deal.
Even better, if things continue to go as they have, the Browns can win and still get a high draft pick to continue building up the roster. Because they also received the Rams' 2027 first-rounder that's already becoming a much better pick than anyone could have anticipated.
That's the biggest factor tilting this deal in Cleveland's favor right now. Because even if the Browns falter down the stretch of the season, which seems extremely possible in a division where every team is over .500 and the Browns have the worst point differential at minus-16, it's not as likely the Rams' season does a 180.
Even if Garrett comes back as his usual dominant self (which isn't a given for a 30-year-old), he doesn't solve all the Rams' problems. Their offense hasn't been as explosive as we anticipated entering the season, averaging just 22.5 points per game, which ranks in the bottom-half of the league. Matthew Stafford looks every bit of 38 years old. The coaching hasn't been sharp, and the special teams is bad.
When older teams fail, they get blown up. That's what the Rams are facing if they don't pull it together -- and the Browns are holding a few of the pieces that would have helped them in a potential rebuild. It doesn't matter nearly as much if the Browns continue to win games. They're sitting pretty regardless, even after trading their best player.
Quick hits: Colts fire Ballard ... Skattebo responds ... and more
- The Colts fired GM Chris Ballard after their loss to the Titans. Carlie Irsay-Gordon explained why.
- Cam Skattebo handled his carry-less game maturely, though John Harbaugh insists he wasn't benched.
- J.J. Watt goaded Jim Nantz into hurting himself during the Bills-Raiders broadcast.
- Cory Woodroof listed 5 potential landing spots for Bryce Underwood after the Michigan QB was benched.
- Habitual line-stepper C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected Sunday after his gross act against Brock Bowers.
- Taylor Swift and Caitlin Clark had a blast together rooting on the Chiefs in their win over the Chargers.
- Elina Svitolina revealed her divorce from Gael Monfils in a deeply emotional post.
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This article originally appeared on For The Win: The Rams are already looking like big losers in the Myles Garrett trade
