Les Snead and Sean McVay have struck again. The Los Angeles Rams agreed to another blockbuster trade, acquiring Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns for Jared Verse and three draft picks – including a 2027 first-rounder.
It was the biggest trade of the offseason, and one of the largest ever involving a defensive player. Garrett is a future Hall of Famer with two Defensive Player of the Year awards and five first-team All-Pro selections under his belt, now taking his talent from the hapless Browns to the Super Bowl champions.
Here are the biggest winners and losers of this trade by Los Angeles.
Winner: Matthew Stafford
The Rams may not have given Stafford another weapon in the first round of the draft or free agency, but they absolutely improved his chances of winning another ring with this trade. The defense was the Rams’ biggest issue last season and after adding Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, they’ve now bolstered the front with Garrett.
Los Angeles will now create more turnovers, give Stafford shorter fields to work with and allow fewer points. All that translates to more wins, and maybe a Super Bowl.
Loser: Jared Verse
Poor Jared. He’s by far the biggest loser of this deal, going from the Super Bowl favorites in Los Angeles to a team with no chance of winning a ring in the next three years while he’s under contract. He goes from sunny SoCal to blisteringly cold Cleveland, and while he’s an Ohio native, he loved the weather in California.
There’s no question Verse will be a star with the Browns, but he’d much rather win a ring in Los Angeles than shine bright for a terrible organization.
Winner: Chris Shula
Everything is lining up for Shula to get a head coaching gig next offseason. After interviewing for jobs this offseason, he should get more opportunities next year after coaching what could be the NFL’s best defense.
McDuffie, Watson and now Garrett. Verse was a fantastic piece on defense and could rush from all over the front, but Garrett is a different beast. Shula is going to have fun with his new pass rusher.
Losers: Every QB in the NFC West
NFC West quarterbacks went from eluding Aaron Donald to now having to avoid Garrett. And there was only a two-year break between the two star defenders playing in Los Angeles. Brock Purdy could have nightmares about the Rams’ defensive front, as could Sam Darnold and whoever starts for the lowly Cardinals.
No team has the offensive line to protect its quarterback consistently from Garrett, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske, which makes the Rams a frightening defense to go up against for any quarterback.
Winner: Kobie Turner
It will be much harder to double-team Turner with Garrett and Young on the edge. Verse was already facing a bunch of double-teams last season, but Garrett is one of the most doubled players in football.
And as good as the defensive fronts were in Cleveland, Garrett is now part of a loaded line in L.A. Turner should see an abundance of one-on-one matchups on the interior now, which will lead to an increase in sacks from him and the Rams’ other defensive linemen.
Winner and loser: Byron Young
On one hand, Young will also see more one-on-one matchups. On the other, this trade makes it much less likely that the Rams will extend Young. Hence, the winner and loser designation here.
It’s possible Young will still sign an extension with the team that drafted him, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Monday that the Rams are unlikely to extend any of their 2023 draftees this offseason.
Young could make himself a boatload of money this season if he racks up the sacks and signs elsewhere in 2027, but his chances of staying in L.A. just took a hit, especially with the younger Josaiah Stewart also on the roster.
Winners: Rams’ CBs
With a defensive line like the Rams’, their cornerbacks won’t have to cover for very long. They’ll get the benefit of Los Angeles’ defensive line collapsing pockets quickly, forcing quarterbacks to get the ball out sooner than they want to.
McDuffie has to be smiling from ear to ear, as is Watson. And Quentin Lake’s life just got easier in the slot, as well. Everyone in coverage benefits from having a pass rusher like Garrett in front of them.
Winner: Myles Garrett
Obviously. He finally escapes Cleveland, which has only made the playoffs twice in his tenure, and joins the Super Bowl favorites. Garrett couldn’t have asked for a better team to join, which is why he waived his no-trade clause to make it happen.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Winners and losers of Rams’ trade for Myles Garrett
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
