If you didn’t already think the Los Angeles Rams were going all-in for a Super Bowl in 2026, they made it clear that’s the case on Monday. Now, Colin Cowherd doesn’t think anyone is on the same tier as the Rams ahead of the new season.
Following the Rams’ trade for two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, Cowherd crowned them as the clear Super Bowl favorite even though they gave up two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for Garrett.
“Myles Garrett to me is worth making this move,” Cowherd said. “You give up a first-rounder and Jared Verse. Now, the other thing to remember is that when the Rams took a quarterback, everybody was like, ‘Whoa,’ well, now you see why, because they’ve been in discussions with Cleveland with Myles Garrett.
“It all makes sense now, right?” Cowherd added. “All the critics [were] like, oh, they’re going to get Ty Simpson in-house for 2 years, [he] doesn’t should play now. They get Trent McDuffie with a first-round decide and now Myles Garrett and they are going to be an awesome Tremendous Bowl favourite.”
Myles Garrett to be traded to Rams for Jared Verse, 2027 1st-round decide
Garrett is extensively considered one of many NFL’s most dominant defensive gamers, recent off his second Defensive Participant of the 12 months award. A multiple-time Professional Bowler and All-Professional choice, he additionally turned the primary reigning Defensive Participant of the 12 months winner in league historical past to be traded, getting moved after he set the NFL’s single-season all-time sacks document.
As gamers like Garrett hardly ever get moved, Cowherd made one other huge assertion in regards to the participant the Rams obtained.
“He’s, and I’ve stated this 10 instances on this present, take out Lawrence Taylor and that is the most effective rush edge I’ve ever seen in my life,” Cowherd stated. “Myles Garrett and Lawrence Taylor are the most effective I’ve ever seen.”
The transfer alerts a transparent win-now push from Los Angeles as they give the impression of being to maximise their present Tremendous Bowl window. It additionally immediately transforms their move rush into one of the vital feared models within the league, with Garrett already on a Corridor of Fame trajectory.
And whereas it’s going to be robust for Garrett to match the 23 sacks he recorded final yr, it is evident that he is nonetheless obtained some robust seasons forward of him. He is logged no less than 14 sacks in every of the final 5 years, and his tackles for loss (33 in 2025) have elevated over the past two seasons.
“Myles Garrett, shockingly, is simply 30 years outdated,” Cowherd stated. “[Jared] Verse is already 25, which it looks as if Garrett’s been within the league endlessly. He’s proper now in the course of his peak years.
Cowherd framed the deal as a uncommon win-now gamble that prioritizes elite expertise over draft capital. In his view, it additionally helps justify the Rams’ resolution to take Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 general decide, a transfer that was extensively scrutinized.
“They do not have a first-round decide,” Cowherd stated. “Let me ask you: do you assume it is price it to draft Ty Simpson now and have Ty Simpson in-house for a yr or two with Matt Stafford and never have Myles Garrett? I imply, you inform me, what are the choices? I will go together with it.”
Outdoors of the Rams’ aspect of the deal, Cowherd additionally sees positives for the Browns. Verse is probably not Garrett, however he was named Defensive Rookie of the 12 months in his first season and is a participant Cowherd believes may develop right into a star.
“You get your subsequent Myles Garrett, Perhaps not, [Verse is] 75- 80% [of the player Garret] is. Verse is an efficient participant from Ohio, 25 years outdated, going into his prime,” Cowherd stated. “You will have him. He is not getting paid a ton but. The Rams now have the MVP in Matt Stafford and the Defensive Participant of the 12 months in Myles Garrett.”
Cowherd made it sound like this wasn’t only a huge swing however a calculated transfer the Rams have been organising for some time.
“However oh, they reached on Ty Simpson at quarterback,” Cowherd stated. “[This was] all a part of the plan.”
