The crown jewel of the Rams’ dazzling offseason, Garrett has toiled for nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns, garnering a pair of AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors and seven Pro Bowls but only two postseason appearances (three total, three playoff appearances) in that time.
Los Angeles is locked, stocked and loaded for a Super Bowl run, but building an offseason powerhouse is one thing. Winning on the field is another, especially when the reigning Super Bowl champions reside in your same division.
Garrett is excited to join a challenger, he’s excited to see what it’s like to test a champion.
“They won it all, and I’ve got to see what it’s all about,” Garrett said. “They feel like they have the pieces to drive it back and I feel like we have the pieces to take over.”
Unfortunately for Garrett, the programmers will keep him waiting.
Seattle hosts Los Angeles on Christmas night in Week 16 before the teams meet at the Rams’ home game to close out the regular season in Week 18.
Garrett’s first game as a Rams player will be in Australia. It will also be his NFC West debut when Los Angeles takes on the San Francisco 49ers.
Still, when Rams broadcaster JB Long asked him which division opponent he’s most excited to play against this season, Garrett said he wasn’t shying away from the real reason he’s in LA.
The Super Bowl is the goal. And to get there, Garrett and the Rams need to get past the champion.