LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Rams made some huge headlines this week when they acquired former Super Bowl MVP and eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller from the Denver Broncos at the NFL Trade Deadline.
It was a move that caught many by surprise considering the Rams boast a 7-1 record with a fairly strong defense led by stars like Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and Leonard Floyd.
However, GM Les Snead clearly believes if you have a chance to do something special this season, you have to be aggressive and stack your team with as much talent as possible. Sometimes that means parting ways with early round draft picks and a solid defensive player in Kenny Young.
When Young was dealt to the Broncos, many believed it was a salary dump and allow rookie linebacker Ernest Jones to get more playing time. Days later, everyone’s notifications went off with breaking news that the Rams had landed a defensive star in Miller.
“Feels like a movie,” Miller said in his first practice with the Rams. “I went to sleep 4-4, and woke up 7-1.”
Only in Hollywood could one be a part of such a complex cinematic plot. The 32-year-old Miller goes from being on an average team in Denver (who haven’t made the playoffs since their SB50 win) to a Super Bowl contender in Los Angeles. He swaps out the icy Rocky Mountains for the warm Hollywood Hills.
Not to mention his style, fashion, and popularity will make him an ideal fit in Los Angeles and likely lead to even more endorsement deals.
On the football side, Miller falls into a situation where he doesn’t have to carry the load or worry about opponents double-teaming him nearly as much, while also playing for a good defensive coordinator in Raheem Morris.
Offensive lines already have their hands full trying to contain Donald and Floyd, so Miller could have more room to roam and more opportunities to sack opposing quarterbacks.
“You hear stories of the ‘Fearsome Foursome,’ Miller said of the Rams’ iconic defensive line from the 1960’s. “You hear stories of this legendary defense. We want to recreate that.”
Being a former Super Bowl champion, Miller understands the pressure and challenges that comes with championship aspirations.
“You still got to go out there and win,” he said. “There’s been a lot of super teams built that were supposed to like do this and that, and they didn’t quite meet the expectation. My goal here is just to contribute to this team and contribute to wins.”
Yes, Miller might be a little older than that ferocious 26-year old who helped carry the Broncos to a Super Bowl title. He’s been banged up in recent years, but Miller is now coming into a better situation featuring a dynamic defense and a potent offense.
He goes from a below .500 team that hadn’t made the playoffs in the past five years to a team that has a legitimate shot at winning it all. That’s enough to rejuvenate and motivate anybody.
Snead not only understands the importance of maximizing a championship window, but to acquire the big names that will turn heads and get fans piling into SoFi Stadium. He’s not afraid to mortgage the future a little in order to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Los Angeles.
He also might not be done. The Cleveland Browns recently released disgruntled star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Depending on the waiver claims, Snead will at least put the Rams’ hat in the ring, and see if he can add another star to a cast that’s full of them. Imagine Beckham being in head coach Sean McVay’s offensive system and having an established, talented QB like Matthew Stafford throwing to him on those deep routes.
The Rams are joining the ranks of fellow LA championship contenders like the Lakers and Dodgers as teams who aren’t afraid to go all-in and bring in the big names to help them do that. The Los Angeles sports scene is quickly resembling a major Hollywood production.
