NFL Executives Favor Rams, But Seahawks Right There

Aug 30, 2026; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) at practice at the Rams Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL Executives Favor Rams, But Seahawks Right There

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Parrish Jr. | Last updated Sep 2, 2026 6:55 PM ET

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The Los Angeles Rams have the best roster in football, with elite talent on both sides of the ball, making them the strongest Super Bowl pick in two decades heading into 2026.

The Athletic’s Mike Sando polled six NFL executives, asking them to rank all 16 NFC teams. Four of the six picked the Rams to win the NFC, while the other two predicted a second-place finish, behind the Seattle Seahawks and the Chicago Bears. The Rams’ 1.3 average ranking topped the next-closest, defending Super Bowl champions, at 2.7.

The Rams earned the most votes after general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay put together an offseason for the ages: two All-Pro acquisitions in Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, plus the shocking return of three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald from retirement.

Garrett, the best defensive player in the NFL, upgrades over Jared Verse. McDuffie, a top-five cornerback, along with free-agent signee Jaylen Watson, both from the Kansas City Chiefs, upgrades the secondary. And Donald, arguably the best defensive player of his era, gives Los Angeles another game-wrecker up front.

That’s on top of reigning MVP Matthew Stafford; a top-three receiver in Puka Nacua; the best No. 2 wideout in Davante Adams; a stout running game in Kyren Williams and Blake Corum; and a tight end group full of playmakers, giving the Rams an unfair amount of talent.

A Clear Gap, Big Talent

“I think they are the best team in the NFC by far,” a former general manager said. “Beyond all the defensive additions, Matthew Stafford is just surgical. So impressive.”

“I would say there is a clear gap (between the Rams and the rest of the NFC) with the return of Aaron Donald,” another voter said.

“I think Myles Garrett puts them over the top,” another exec said.

The Case For Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are the champs for a reason, however. The division rival has the best defensive-minded head coach in Mike Macdonald, whose team beat the Rams once in the regular season en route to the NFC’s top seed, then beat them again in the NFC Championship Game to reach the Super Bowl.

That is why, despite all the additions the Rams made, the Seahawks remain right there.

“It is hard for me to go against Seattle being the top team in the NFC,” said the executive who voted the Seahawks No. 1 in the conference. “Talent-wise, it is going to be really close.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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