The Los Angeles Rams altered their outlook significantly with one of the offseason’s biggest blockbusters when they acquired All-Pro and Pro Bowl cornerback Trent McDuffie in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs.
McDuffie brings a Super Bowl pedigree to a team in search of a second win in six seasons.
That the Rams were able to bookend McDuffie with his former Chiefs teammate Jaylen Watson is a cherry on top.
Rams Get Strong Words Over Trent McDuffie Trade
GettyThe Los Angeles Rams added Trent McDuffie in a blockbuster trade this offseason.
CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles cited his previous praise for the Rams’ trade for McDuffie (and signing Watson) while taking it a step further, saying “championship” is the one word that sums up LA’s offseason, and the corner “exemplifies” their situation.
The Rams traded the 29th overall pick, along with fifth and sixth picks in 2026 and a 2027 third-rounder to the Chiefs for the 2023 First Team All-Pro.
They also signed McDuffie to a four-year, $124 million contract extension.
“I wrote early in the offseason about how the Rams acquiring McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson made the Rams the clear Super Bowl favorite. Then they drafted Ty Simpson, a move that signaled they still care about the years beyond Matthew Stafford, rendering the term ‘all-in’ not exactly the perfect descriptor. (Plus, that’s two words.)” Pereles wrote on May 13.
“Still, ‘championship’ fits because those were championship-caliber moves made by a team that saw its secondary getting burned by Jaxon Smith-Njigba as essentially the only thing between it and a Super Bowl. It’s very much still title-or-bust for Los Angeles.”
McDuffie turns 26 in September. He was the 21st overall pick of the 2022 draft by the Chiefs and brings the versatility to play on the perimeter or in the slot to the Rams.
Rams Could Add Another Former Chiefs Super Bowl Champion
GettyJaylen Watson has been in hot pursuit of another former Kansas City Chief in L’Jarius Sneed.
After their trade for McDuffie, the Rams signed Watson to a three-year deal worth $51 million. That could lead to another addition if the front office chooses. Watson has been actively recruiting former Chiefs teammate and fellow two-time Super Bowl champion L’Jarius Sneed.
Sneed has spent the past two seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee released Sneed amid inconsistent play, durability issues, and a legal matter that was recently resolved.
That last part clears the way for Sneed to sign with another team in free agency.
The Rams would be that team if Watson had his way. They still have former Washington Commanders first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes on the roster as a potential depth piece (the Rams used three-safety looks often last season), though.
Rams’ Roster Stacks Up Well
With McDuffie and Watson in tow, NFL.com’s Eric Edholm listed the Rams as the “most complete” roster in the league.
That is, even with their selecting Simpson 13th overall instead of a skill player.
“Los Angeles was one possession away from reaching the Super Bowl,” Edholm wrote on May 11. “No matter what you thought of the Simpson selection (or the rest of the Rams’ draft class), this appears to be a roster capable of reaching — and even winning — the big game this time around.”
Edholm added that the Rams “might boast the NFL’s best offense,” with Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Kyren Williams.
He also said that McDuffie and Watson “addressed their biggest issue.”
Rams Get Strong Words Over Trade for All-Pro Super Bowl Champion