54 minutes ago 1

Myles Garrett 'looking forward to future' with stacked Rams after mega trade

Woodland Hills, CA – There was standing room only at the introductory press conference for new Los Angeles Rams star Myles Garrett.

Garrett was flanked by general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay at his first press conference as a member of the Rams following Tuesday’s organization team activities.

“Finality,” Snead answered when asked about his initial reaction when the trade was agreed upon.

The blockbuster Garrett trade was weeks in the making. The first signal the Rams received that Garrett could be available came when the Cleveland Browns modified the language of his contract in March. The amended contract pushed back the bonuses Garrett was due. Snead initially inquired about Garrett to Browns general manager Andrew Berry but got denied and stayed persistent. The Rams eventually included young standout edge rusher Jared Verse to sweeten the deal and push it forward.

"That was the hardest part of this decision, parting with somebody that we love and care about. Wishing (Verse) the best in Cleveland," McVay conceded on Tuesday. "He's done an amazing job for us these last couple years, brought in energy, a production level and toughness."

Sure, Verse is a two-time Pro Bowler, a 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and just 25 years old. But Garrett is a generational player, considered by many to be the best defensive player in football.

The 2017 No. 1 overall pick is a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and the reigning recipient of the award. His 23 sacks last season set the league’s single-season record, and he’s a five-time first-team All-Pro. The 30-year-old has compiled 125.5 sacks and 149 career tackles for loss and has registered the most sacks in the NFL since 2017.

"It's a rare opportunity, and it is challenging. When you look at being able to acquire a player like this, these things don't come up often," McVay said. "He knows the respect and reverence I've had for his game. Just getting to know him over the course of his career and my coaching career. We feel like he can upgrade our football team. He's going to make a great impact."

The impact Garrett can have on the Rams is almost hard to quantify.

Arguably, the league's best defensive player is joining a Rams squad a year removed from an NFC championship game appearance. A defense that added cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson this offseason. On the other side of the football, the Rams already boast the defending NFL MVP, Matthew Stafford, along with the leader in receiving touchdowns, Davante Adams and the top receptions-getter, Puka Nacua, from a season ago.

“Very excited to be here. It’s an honor and blessing to be in this building. I have a lot of respect for all the guys here, from the coaching staff, management and the players. I’ve got to see it firsthand. Very quality team, quality business," Garrett said of the Rams. "I’m looking forward to helping bring a championship here to LA.”

With Garrett aboard an already loaded roster, a championship is expected. The Rams are the first team in NFL history to unite the reigning NFL MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, via NFL Research.

Garrett is also the first player since 1997 to win an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award and then change teams the very next season, per the Elias Sports Bureau.

Garrett’s addition continues a heralded Rams tradition of superb defensive lineman. From the Rams’ “Fearsome Foursome” led by the late Hall of Famer Deacon Jones to three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, who is even generating buzz about an unlikely comeback at 35 years old.

“Definitely recall watching film of the ‘Fearsome Foursome.’ I actually grew up watching that,” Garrett said of the dominant Rams defense of the 1960s. “Definitely very aware.”

The union was weeks in the making and perhaps long overdue. Garrett’s father, Lawrence, is from Los Angeles, as is his girlfriend, Chloe Kim, a two-time Olympic halfpipe champion.

“My dad’s from LA. That's an obvious tie,” Garrett said. “Chloe, her being from here and us being in the same city is something that I love and appreciate. Everything else is really just looking forward to the future.”

The near future, particularly this season, is looking bright for the now prohibitive Super Bowl favorites.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rams seize 'rare' opportunity with Myles Garrett trade

Read Entire Article