Jason Burgos
The Los Angeles Rams have been busy since the NFL offseason started last month, and executives from rival teams are fans of how they have approached their latest build to a Super Bowl run.
After coming up just short of reaching the Big Game earlier this year, the LA Rams brain trust is motivated to finish the story in 2026. And why not? They will bring back much of last year’s roster, including reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.
However, they must improve if they want to overcome division rivals and reigning league champions, the Seattle Seahawks. They did that immediately when they swung a blockbuster trade for Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Trent McDuffie. They also added his teammate, Jaylen Watson, in free agency. Their aggressiveness has earned the admiration of one rival exec.
“I don’t mind it,” the exec said. “If you still think you are in the window and you have Matt Stafford coming back, you have to do everything you can to try to win it one more time. They still have a first-round pick.”
Exec praises forward thinking of Los Angeles Rams contract for Trent McDuffie
Furthermore, specifically pairing McDuffie with Watson in LA after they worked well together in Kansas City drew the appreciation of another NFL decision-maker.
“Corner is a position where even for the top guys, it’s hard to be consistent year over year, but I do like how they were aggressive,” said the exec. “Their biggest need by far was to get more size, more competitive in the secondary. You are pairing McDuffie with Watson so they can come in together, communicate well together, have that rapport.”
While some NFL evaluators questioned the LA Rams’ decision to make McDuffie the highest-paid corner in the league ($31 million annual average), another executive felt the price tag was a smart piece of forward thinking and not a bad overpay.
“I know they paid McDuffie a ton of money. But those teams that embrace where the cap is going and can adjust to the percentages instead of the sticker shock are ahead of the game,” that exec said. “They realize that $30 million is going to be (more palatable) down the line because other guys will get paid.”
