No team has made a bigger splash this offseason than the Los Angeles Rams. Consensus tells us LA has done enough to get over the hump and strive for a Super Bowl run in 2026.
But in some ways there are still a lot of questions on how these investments and puzzle pieces all fit together. Those that win March rarely win in December and January, at least through the lens of traditional free agency. Are we crowning the Rams prematurely?
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Let’s take off the rose-colored glasses. This is the contrarian’s guide to the offseason so far.
Add talent, figure the rest out later
Cornerback and the secondary overall was a major reason why the Rams fell short in the NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks. LA pulled nearly every available lever to upgrade and overcorrect for 2026.
It all started with the extension of Quentin Lake midseason. Lake is a hybrid safety and slot corner. His role may be subject to change short-term, though we truly don’t know.
The next domino to fall was the blockbuster trade for Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Trent McDuffie. Savvy fans know that McDuffie is best in the slot, though this spot has been manned by Lake in recent years. McDuffie is a top-three slot corner in the NFL. He may be closer to top 15 on the outside. In reality he probably plays a hybrid role in Los Angeles in order to make use of his unique skillset; however, questions still remain whether his contributions can outweigh the lofty draft capital sent to KC plus a record-setting contract.
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It’s comforting that the Rams followed up the McDuffie trade by signing Jaylen Watson, KC’s physical outside corner. He’s 6-2, 197 lbs. and brings much-needed size to a historically slight Rams corner room. Any concerns about McDuffie holding up against bigger receivers should be mitigated by Watson’s arrival.
LA also was able to re-sign veteran safety Kamren Curl in free agency. Most thought he would receive a hefty pay day and leave for another team. I’m…
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