The Los Angeles Rams made the biggest splash of the 2026 offseason on June 1 when they acquired Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns. The deal sent edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Garrett had just finished the 2025 season with 23 sacks, breaking the NFL single-season record previously held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. He now joins a Rams team that already sat among the Super Bowl favorites before the trade even happened.
Les Snead has built a reputation for bold swings. This one feels different. Garrett is not just another talented player. He is widely viewed as the best defensive player in football right now, if not the best player period. The move instantly upgrades a defense that lost Aaron Donald’s presence and needed a new identity on the edge.
Garrett’s Record-Breaking 2025 Season Sets the Stage
Garrett’s dominance last year went beyond the sack total. He terrorized quarterbacks week after week on a Browns team that struggled to stay competitive. His get-off, power, and ability to finish plays created constant pressure that defenses had to scheme around.
That production came on a roster without the supporting cast or offensive firepower the Rams now provide. Matthew Stafford remains one of the most dangerous quarterbacks when healthy, and Sean McVay’s offense consistently creates favorable down-and-distance situations. Garrett will see more obvious passing downs and cleaner one-on-one opportunities than he had in Cleveland. That combination alone should push his numbers even higher.
The Scheme Question: How Garrett Fits Chris Shula’s Defense
One legitimate point of discussion centers on scheme fit. The Rams under Chris Shula deploy a multiple front that leans heavily into sub packages, nickel, and dime personnel. Traditional labels like “3-4 base” get thrown around, while Garrett spent most of his Browns career aligned as a wide 9-technique defensive end in more 4-3 looks.
Modern NFL defenses rarely stay rigid anyway. Shula’s group already mixes fronts and emphasizes versatility. Garrett’s explosive traits and refined pass-rush arsenal translate across alignments. The real question is how quickly the coaching staff can get him comfortable in their specific calls and stunts.
Read More: Aaron Donald Seriously Considering Rams Return After Myles Garrett Trade
Shula sounded completely unbothered when asked about the transition.
“We’re still going to have our principles, whether it’s stuff, but we’re going to let him do what he does best and we all know exactly what he does best,” Shula said. “So, you know, you’re not going to take Michael Jordan or LeBron James, you know, all those guys and pull them out of their comfort zone. We’re going to work with him and put him in the best spots that we think for him and the defense to succeed.”
The comparison carries weight. Shula is not saying Garrett is literally Jordan or James. He is saying the same principle applies: elite talent gets put in position to succeed rather than forced into a box that dulls its impact.
Why This Trade Feels Like a Les Snead Masterclass
Rams fans have seen Snead pull off aggressive moves before. This one stands out because of the player’s age, production, and championship window alignment. Garrett enters his prime years with a defense that now has a true alpha edge presence again.
Byron Young and the rest of the front will benefit from the attention Garrett draws. Offensive lines will have to account for him on nearly every passing down, which opens lanes for stunts and twists from the other side. The ripple effect on the entire unit could be significant.
The cost was steep — a young, productive edge in Verse plus three future picks across different drafts. Yet the Rams clearly decided the immediate upgrade was worth it. With Stafford still slinging it and McVay calling plays, the window to win now is open. Garrett gives them a realistic shot at the kind of dominant defense that carried them to a Super Bowl in 2021.
What Comes Next for Garrett and the Rams
Training camp and preseason will tell us plenty about how the staff plans to deploy him. Expect Garrett to line up primarily on the right edge where he has been most comfortable, but Shula’s multiple scheme should allow creative usage in sub packages and on obvious passing downs.
The mental side matters too. Garrett has carried the weight of a franchise for years in Cleveland. Now he joins a contender with established stars and a coaching staff that knows how to maximize talent. The fit feels natural on paper. The on-field results will decide how quickly it becomes a championship-level difference-maker.
Rams fans have every reason to feel optimistic. The trade already sent shockwaves through the league. The real work starts when Garrett steps on the field in blue and gold and begins doing what he does best — getting after the quarterback.