Los Angeles’ Superteam

After a 31-27 loss against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2025 NFC Championship Game, the Los Angeles Rams are going all in for the 2026/27 NFL season. A number of major acquisitions and trades, noteworthy talent here to stay, and a proven coaching staff have made the team the clear favorite to win Super Bowl LXI at +500 odds.

Improving their defense was a major priority for the Los Angeles Rams as they went into the offseason. In the NFC Championship Game, the Rams defense struggled to pressure Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, and also failed to produce any turnovers. As a result, the front office looked to acquire premier players at certain defensive positions. Perhaps the most crucial offseason move of them all was the trade for superstar defensive end Myles Garrett. In early June, the Rams traded edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round draft pick, a 2028 second-round draft pick, and a 2029 third-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Garrett. Verse is a two-time Pro Bowler still on a rookie contract, but the Rams traded him anyway. The front office is clearly choosing the present over the future. Garrett is coming off a record-setting season recording the most sacks in a season with 23. He also won his second Defensive Player of the Year award, and was recently voted the best player in the league by his peers.

But if the Rams’ defensive line didn’t look intimidating enough after the addition of Myles Garrett, it gets even better. On August 30, legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald came out of a two-and-a-half-year retirement to return with Los Angeles on a one-year deal worth $20 million. Donald retired after the 2023 season with three Defensive Player of the Year awards, a Rookie of the Year Award, and eight First-Team All-Pro selections. After a team workout in early August, Rams Head Coach Sean McVay said that Donald is “doing great, and he looked outstanding, as I think all of us would expect.” 

Shortly after announcing his unretirement, Donald himself said, “I’m feeling good, knocking the rust off. I thought I’d be a lot more rusty than I was, but taking it day by day.” Though he may not match his elite peak, considering his 35-year-old age and absence from football, Donald seems promising enough to remain a productive player on the defensive front. 

The Rams also rebuilt their secondary. In yet another blockbuster acquisition, the Rams received cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for multiple draft picks, including the 29th overall pick of 2026. He signed a four-year $124 million contract extension, which made him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history at the time. During his time in Kansas City, McDuffie cemented himself as a superb cornerback, meriting a first-team All-Pro nod in 2023 and second-team All Pro in 2024. His remarkable tight coverage and impressive ability to stop the run are among his strongest attributes, and his addition is likely to improve Los Angeles’ cornerback room.

The Rams’ other major move to strengthen their secondary was signing cornerback Jaylen Watson on a three-year $51 million deal. Watson, another former Kansas City Chief, allowed just a 69.0 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks, a number much lower than the league average passer rating of 91.4. In addition, Watson received a run-defense grade of 83.5 from Pro Football Focus, ranking sixth among all NFL cornerbacks, showcasing his stellar ability to attack the rush. Although the Rams’ run defense wasn’t necessarily weak, it wasn’t championship-level, as they ranked 12th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game at 110.8 yards. With Watson on the field, the Rams could get closer to a top-ten run defense, and improve their chances at a Super Bowl run.

These additions bolster a team that was already talented enough to reach an NFC Championship Game. Reigning MVP and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford led the league in both passing yards and touchdowns, throwing a dazzling 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns against eight interceptions this past season. Stafford is looking to continue performing at a high level, and considering the talent around him, this shouldn’t be an issue. His primary target Puka Nacua is one of the best receivers in the league. Nacua led the league in receptions with 129, was second in receiving yards with 1,715, and was sixth in receiving touchdowns with ten. Moreover, Davante Adams became Stafford’s most trusted red-zone target, leading the league in touchdown receptions with 14. 

As important as talent is, coaching is just as critical. Luckily for the Rams, they have one of the best head coaches in the NFL with Sean McVay. McVay boasts a tremendous career with a head coaching record of 102-63, and he won Super Bowl LVI in February of 2022, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals. Much of this success comes from his exceptional offensive play designs, along with his ability to connect with players on a personal level. 

Though the Rams’ fanbase is rightfully anticipating a strong upcoming season, they could pay a price for the incredible roster they’ve assembled. Many of these moves come with large sacrifices of both young potential and valuable draft capital. On top of that, many of the best players are in the twilights of their careers, making it unlikely that Los Angeles can maintain similar firepower further down the road. A notable example is the Rams’ disappointing 2023 season following their Super Bowl victory. Because of the steep costs they had paid to acquire players such as Stafford, cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and outside linebacker Von Miller the year prior, they found themselves stuck when they had little valuable draft capital and very little  money left. As injuries piled up, their situation became even more grave, resulting in a losing 5-12 season. How the Rams approach this truth after their current “win-now” era is gone remains an indefinite question, and one that could alter the fate of the franchise, even years down the line. For now, however, the team remains focused on the present. To call the Rams talented would be an understatement, but it’s what happens in February that will truly determine whether this aggressive offseason was worth it.