The Los Angeles Rams' blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett has been given a surprising review by an NFL coach.
Not long ago, the Los Angeles Rams shook up the landscape of the NFL by acquiring superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns.
In order to acquire Garrett, the Rams had to give up a lot of value. They parted ways with Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick.
The third-round pick in 2029 would become a first-round pick if Los Angeles ever traded Garrett to a team in the AFC North other than the Browns.
Garrett is arguably the best defender in football. Adding him to the defense helped the Rams take another big jump as a potential Super Bowl contender in 2026.
That being said, one NFL coach doesn't think the move to acquire Garrett was the most impactful move the team has made this offseason.
As shared by Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the coach believes the additions of cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson will be more impactful than Garrett.
“The (Garrett) trade isn’t as big as the McDuffie trade and the signing of Watson,” the coach said. “Those additions will impact their defensive unit more than Myles.”
Many will disagree with that opinion. However, in an ideal world for Los Angeles, the coach will be right. If the two cornerbacks can have that kind of an impact, the Rams will be in excellent shape.
Los Angeles' secondary was more of a pain point in 2025, so it stands to reason why many would think the addition of McDuffie and Watson would be far bigger. However, Garrett is on a different level in terms of pass rushing.
Last season in Cleveland, Garrett made NFL history. He set the new record for sacks in a single season.
Throughout the course of the 2025 campaign with the Browns, the 30-year-old pass rusher racked up 60 total tackles, 23 sacks, three forced fumbles, and a defended pass in 17 games. Those numbers are unheard of for most pass rushers.
At the end of the day, Garrett could very well prove this theory wrong. If he can put together the same kind of season in 2026 for the Rams that he had in Cleveland last year, there would be no greater impact a team could bring in.
That being said, Los Angeles has to feel very good about the defensive improvements it has made. Being able to add McDuffie, Garrett, and Watson in just one offseason will make the Rams an even more formidable Super Bowl contender.
