Rams should be overwhelming SB faves after blockbuster trade

Myles Garrett. Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Rams should be overwhelming Super Bowl favorites after blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jun 2, 2026 8:01 AM ET

The roster of the 2026 Los Angeles Rams looks like a maxed-out Ultimate Team in the video game "Madden."

ESPN NFL insiders Adam Schefter, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the Rams traded linebacker Jared Verse and a 2027 first-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for defensive end Myles Garrett. Other draft compensation is still being negotiated.

This is the second blockbuster trade the Rams have made this offseason. L.A. acquired cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs in March. That deal was major, but landing two-time Defensive Player of the Year Garrett is seismic. It may make the Rams, who already had strong Super Bowl odds, an overwhelming championship favorite.

Why the Rams should be overwhelming Super Bowl favorites after the Myles Garrett trade

The Rams didn't need Garrett to vault to the next level. Last season, L.A. went 12-5 and reached the NFC Championship Game, where it lost to the Seattle Seahawks 31-27. The Seahawks lost running back Kenneth Walker III (Super Bowl LX MVP) to the Chiefs in free agency, making them look less potent than their NFC West rival heading into this upcoming season.

Bombshell: The Browns are finalizing a trade that will send two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, per @rapsheet, @TomPelissero and me.

In exchange for Garrett, the Rams are expected to send Pro-Bowl edge Jared Verse, a 2027… pic.twitter.com/vHVquJBcYl
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 1, 2026

But that doesn't mean the Rams should've said no to Garrett, who's coming off a career year. In 2025, the DE broke former New York Giants pass-rusher Michael Strahan's record for sacks in a season (23 in 17 games). (Strahan logged 22.5 sacks in 16 games in 2001.)

The addition of Garrett makes the Rams defense (20.4 points allowed per game in 2025, No. 10 in the NFL) even more stingy. L.A. doesn't need to worry about its offense, either. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, 38, confirmed he's returning after winning the 2025 league MVP, meaning the high-powered unit (30.5 points scored per game in 2025, No. 1 in NFL) should keep rolling in 2026.

"Superteam" is often overused in sports media. Calling the Rams that, however, is appropriate. They were already a powerhouse before the trade for Garrett, and now that he's in the fold, they look nearly unstoppable.

L.A. hosts Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 14, 2027. It's easy to imagine Garrett and company hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in front of their home crowd on that date.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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