The Los Angeles Rams got some good news at the 2026 NFL Honors.
Matthew Stafford won the Most Valuable Player Award and delivered some positive career news in his acceptance speech: the quarterback announced that he will return for an 18th season.
With a key contributor returning to the team, the Rams can start focusing on the 2026 season.
The 2026 offseason begins on March 11th and moves across the NFL. The Rams are well-positioned with their resources for the upcoming offseason, which could help them secure a star player.
Getting Some Help On the Defensive Front
GettyThe Rams could get Pro Bowl experience in the 2026 season
The Los Angeles Rams recorded 47 sacks in the 2025 season, tied for the seventh most in the league. While that number is impressive, the Rams could add some more fire to the artillery.
Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reveals that Maxx Crosby‘s time with the Las Vegas Raiders may be over due to frustration with the team, hinting that the team may trade him before the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Rams have two first-round selections in the upcoming draft that they could use to their advantage.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton dropped some trade package ideas that will get the star pass rusher out of Sin City, naming the Rams as one of the options.
“Equipped with two 2026 first-rounders, the Rams may be willing to trade one for a premier pass-rusher in a weak quarterback draft,” Moton wrote. “Los Angeles has a young edge-rushing duo in Pro Bowlers Jared Verse and Byron Young, but the latter is entering a contract year. If the club doesn’t believe it will retain Young, he could be included in a trade for a more accomplished player at the same position.”
“Crosby and Verse could become the league’s most dominant pass-rushing pair… Meanwhile, Young can develop into a lead edge-rusher in Las Vegas. Coming off a 12-sack season, the 27-year-old has star potential, though the Raiders would likely need to pay him within the next year to make the deal worth giving up a 2027 pick for him.”
Verse is now a two-time Pro Bowl in consecutive seasons, while being the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year. The former 19th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft will be 26 years old in the middle of next season, while being in the third year of his rookie contract and pairing him with Crosby will likely see a huge jump in development.
Crosby recorded 10 sacks in 15 games for the Raiders this season, receiving a 79.7 overall grade from PFF.
Moton’s trade package will force the Rams to give up Young, the 29th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a 2027 first-round pick in exchange for the Vegas pass rusher and a 2027 third-round pick.
Maxx Crosby In Los Angeles
GettyMaxx Crosby is unhappy about his time in LV
If the Los Angeles Rams were to land Maxx Crosby in a blockbuster trade, the Rams would have to take on his $106.5 million contract.
Other key members of the Rams roster are now eligible to get a contract extension with the team, including Offensive Player of the Year finalist Puka Nacua, defensive tackle Kobie Turner, and others on expiring deals.
Crosby would be an immense help to every team in the league, with Jay Glazer saying that he expects at least 20 teams to call about the pass rusher’s talents.
The former Eastern Michigan Eagle has racked up 69.5 sacks, 439 tackles and 11 forced fumbles in his career.
A change of scenery would benefit the pass rusher, especially with the Rams. It would put him on a Super Bowl-caliber team and pair him up with a Chris Shula, who will have another elite threat off the edge.
The Rams let up 31 points twice in the team’s playoff run this postseason. Adding an outside linebacker who can make the quarterback’s life a living hell will help a lot in that department.
Trade Idea Lands Rams $106.5 Million Pro Bowler