Rams go full Dodgers mode as Matthew Stafford and Myles Garrett power historic NFL first

Are the Los Angeles Rams becoming the NFL's Los Angeles Dodgers? This is the fresh debate sparking after the Rams added Myles Garrett to their defense in a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns earlier this week.

By acquiring Garrett, the Rams have become the first team in the NFL to roster both the reigning NFL MVP and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year at the same time. Matthew Stafford won the MVP last season, as did Garrett for the defensive honor.

The pairing has ignited comparisons to the Dodgers, who are back-to-back World Series champions. The Dodgers are one of the MLB's wealthiest spenders in the offseason, signing major names like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and others over the last 2-3 years. Moreover, the MLB franchise has three former MVPs in their batting order, including Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

The result is there for everyone to see. After forming a sort of super team, the Dodgers have won it all in the last two years. Even this year, they carry the best odds to win it all again.

It remains to be seen if the Rams can embrace that kind of status in the NFL in the coming years.

MORE: Rams receive exciting 14.9% Super Bowl projection from ESPN after Myles Garrett trade

Myles Garrett and Matthew Stafford give Rams fans Super Bowl hopes

The Rams did well last season, thanks in large part to Matthew Stafford, who finished with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns, to edge out New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in the closest MVP race since 2003.

Despite being in his late 30s, Stafford is chasing another Super Bowl ring and the Rams are also preparing the roster in such a way that can go deep in the postseason next year.

Adding Garrett goes a long way to make that happen. The former Browns defensive end had a historic 2025 campaign, recording an NFL record 23 sacks.

Super teams are not rare in major sports these days. The Dodgers have proven how to win like one. But then there are the examples of the New York Mets and Brooklyn Nets (Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden), who have failed miserably due to poor performances and injury troubles. 

It remains to be seen which side of the faction Rams end up on.

More Rams news:

• Stefon Diggs linked to Rams, Chiefs, Commanders after Patriots release
• Myles Garrett trade quietly admits the Browns were wrong about their timeline
• Myles Garrett trade winners & losers: Edge rusher gets Super Bowl shot on Rams, Cleveland loses another legend
• How Myles Garrett trade package compares to other massive deals for edge rushers
• How Myles Garrett adds to dangerous Rams defensive projections