[Editor’s note: The following article is from Athlon Sports’ 2026 NFL Preview magazine. Order your issue online today, or grab a copy at newsstands and retail racks nationwide.]
[Editor’s note 2: This article has been edited to include the Rams’ trade for Myles Garrett, which happened after the magazine went to print.]
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This offseason had all of the early hallmarks of a Rams workforce gearing as much as take massive swing after massive swing in pursuit of one other Super Bowl. By buying and selling for All-Pro nook Trent McDuffie, signing him to a record-breaking contract extension and including Jaylen Watson within the opening hours of free company, the Rams mirrored their first all-in strikes from the 2021 Super Bowl run — the pre-season acquisition of cornerback Jalen Ramsey and in-season acquisitions of Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr..
Even although reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford opted to return for an 18th season, the Rams shocked most once they chosen Stafford’s eventual successor, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, within the NFL Draft. Not to fret, although — the Rams assured everybody that they’re all-in on 2026 once they shocked the NFL world on June 1 by buying and selling for NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
More NFL workforce previews
AFC East:Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West:Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East: Commanders| Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North:Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South:Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West:49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
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So the Rams look like trying to do what the NBA’s Golden State Warriors tried and did not do — to work in two totally different timelines, one with Stafford’s window and one other with Simpson in thoughts. Whether they’ll accomplish that difficult balancing act stays to be seen. But there’s a sense across the franchise that — with their quarterback of the long run in hand and probably the most feared move rusher within the league added on protection — the current and future are vivid.
Offense
The Rams return 10 starters from an offense that led the NFL in scoring, helped Stafford to his first profession MVP award and boosted huge receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams to the NFL lead in receptions and receiving touchdowns, respectively.
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The Rams additionally return all 4 tight ends from a workforce that ran twice as many snaps with 13-personnel — three tight ends, one huge receiver, one working again — as another workforce within the NFL. And it seems that the Rams are gearing as much as attempt to construct on that success after deciding on a decent finish — Ohio State’s Max Klare — within the second spherical of the draft for a second consecutive season.
The bundle helped each their dashing and passing assaults in 2025. The consideration paid to defend the run in opposition to the heavy personnel opened up one-on-one matchups, significantly within the purple zone, for Adams, an knowledgeable at beating man protection. The Rams put in 13-personnel midseason, so a full offseason of planning across the scheme ought to allow head coach Sean McVay and newly promoted offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase the chance to develop on what the Rams did in 2025.
On the bottom, the Rams have discovered plenty of success with the pairing of working backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. The Rams will proceed to separate carries between the 2, anticipating the lessened workload to make Williams extra explosive when he does carry the ball.
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But the matter of probably the most concern for the Rams offense — and maybe for the workforce as a complete — is the controversy that has swirled round Nacua, the All-Pro huge receiver who has come beneath the microscope for his actions off the sector. After a lawsuit alleging that he bit a girl throughout an evening out, adopted by a stint in a rehabilitation heart, Nacua reported to Woodland Hills for the beginning of the Rams’ offseason program. He stays on the coronary heart of all the things the Rams try to do on offense, nevertheless it’s unclear if the workforce will signal him to what could possibly be a record-breaking contract extension as he enters the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal.
Defense
Outside linebacker Jared Verse was an essential piece of this protection, which is why the Cleveland Browns demanded he be a part of the Garrett commerce. Verse will probably be missed, however in Garrett the Rams have a real game-wrecker. Garrett set the NFL document final season with 23.0 sacks for a workforce that was often enjoying from behind. If the Rams’ offense does its half, Garrett will probably be in place to pin his ears again and get after the quarterback much more.
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The Rams’ different two massive veteran acquisitions this offseason — McDuffie and Watson — represented a transparent need to improve their greatest weak spot from 2025, the cornerback room. But the Rams didn’t simply attempt to enhance the expertise on the place; in addition they signed gamers who will play nook in a essentially totally different means.
McDuffie and Watson each got here up within the system of Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. They discovered to play the place bodily, in press on the line of scrimmage and on the level of the catch. More importantly, they play robust within the run sport, decreasing their shoulders and shedding blocks to make stops. After a 12 months getting killed by outside-zone runs, the Rams wanted corners like McDuffie and Watson to set a tone in these conditions.
As for the move rush, all of the double-teams and chip blocks on Garrett will create area for teammates Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske.
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The Rams may also want some extra constant play out of their inside linebackers. Nate Landman and Omar Speights each specialize within the run sport, however their struggles in the course of the playoffs put them beneath a microscope coming into the offseason. The Rams’ solely transfer to enhance the place was a two-year, $4.45 million deal for special-teams ace Grant Stuard. But he may need a window to compete for Speights’ position.
Specialists
Placekicking was a catastrophe within the early components of final season for the Rams, costing them two wins. But Harrison Mevis got here in and glued that concern, marking 12-of-13 field-goal makes an attempt and all 39 of his extra-point tries. The Rams belief Mevis transferring ahead, each for his accuracy and distance, and so they introduced in veteran long-snapper Joe Cardona to shore up the operation. Punter Ethan Evans continues to supply regular leg power and directionality.
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The Rams employed new particular groups coordinator Bubba Ventrone this offseason, hoping to repair a particular groups unit that gave up massive returns and didn’t get a lot traction within the return sport. If the Rams do determine to maintain 5 tight ends on their roster, it will present the workforce with extra cell our bodies who can block on dynamic kickoff returns.
Xavier Smith will compete to retain his job returning punts after his essential fumble within the NFC Championship Game. Jordan Whittington and Corum haven’t been explosive in kickoff returns, however the Rams didn’t usher in any competitors for them.
Final Analysis
The Rams are clearly all-in on profitable their second Super Bowl in six seasons, this one scheduled for his or her dwelling SoFi Stadium — similar to after the 2021 season. There are 18 starters from final 12 months again in 2026, and that may have been ample to maintain the Rams a severe contender. With the additions they’ve made, expectations are at an all-time excessive.
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Related: Athlon Sports 2026 NFL Preview Magazine Now Available
This story was initially revealed by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2026, the place it first appeared within the NFL part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.