Myles Garrett has already swung opinions in favor of the Los Angeles Rams, thanks to his strong track record. On June 27, ESPN's Field Yates chose Garrett as the best NFL player.
What happened?
The Rams surrendered a hefty sum for Garrett, including 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year and two-time Pro Bowler Jared Verse. This raises the stakes for the Rams and Garrett to advance further than they did with Verse and the Cleveland Browns, respectively.
The mission is clear for LA, coming off a trip to the NFC Championship Game in 2025. Garrett's trade is expected to have a big impact on the Rams, improving their already impressive pass rush.
Myles Garrett on Award Watch
Garrett could take home some more hardware ahead of the 2026 season, with Yates arguing that he could repeat as the best player in 2026. Yates cited Garrett's ability to set the NFL single-season sack record, despite playing in a system where the Browns were often behind.
On June 27, Yates said on ESPN's ESPYs special that Garrett had a 5-sack game against the AFC champion New England Patriots and was unblockable. Dan Graziano, ESPN insider and co-panelist, concurred, saying he was at the game where Garrett had five sacks and remembered how morose he looked after the loss.
What comes next?
The Rams' trade for Garrett gives them a closer on defense, something they've been missing since Aaron Donald retired in March 2024. Getting Garrett could also bring Donald out of retirement, per the latter.
Garrett's trade is expected to overshadow the Rams' trade for cornerback Trent McDuffie, which would have been an offseason-altering move for most other teams. The Rams' defense struggled down the stretch last season, allowing 31 points in each of their three playoff games.
The Rams' 27.3 points per game allowed from Week 13 to the end of the postseason was the seventh-worst in the NFL, according to ESPN Research. With Garrett on board, the Rams are looking to improve their defense and make a deeper run in the playoffs.
Myles Garrett Trade Expected to Have 'Biggest Impact'
ESPN's Sarah Barshop noted that adding Garrett via trade improved the Rams' pass rush. The deal for McDuffie would have been an offseason-altering move for most other teams, but it's overshadowed by the Garrett trade.
On June 27, Barshop wrote that the Rams' defense struggled down the stretch last season, allowing 31 points in each of their three playoff games. The Rams are looking to improve their defense and make a deeper run in the playoffs with Garrett on board.
Garrett's strong track record and potential to repeat as Defensive Player of the Year make him a top contender for the 2026 ESPN ESPYs. With the Rams looking to improve their defense, Garrett's trade is expected to have a big impact on the team's success.
The Rams are looking to advance further than they did with Verse and the Cleveland Browns, respectively. With Garrett on board, they have a closer on defense and a stronger pass rush.
Garrett's trade is a significant move for the Rams, and it will be interesting to see how he performs in the upcoming season. The Rams are looking to make a deeper run in the playoffs, and Garrett's addition could be the key to their success.