The Los Angeles Rams had a clear vision entering the offseason. Even with Matthew Stafford returning for what feels like his final season with the team, the Rams knew they couldn’t put it all on Stafford again, and had to fix their biggest problem defensively: the secondary. No performance highlighted the necessity for change here more than the NFC Championship Game.

The Rams accomplished their goal right out of the gate to start the offseason, trading for cornerback Trent McDuffie and signing cornerback Jaylen Watson. Those two moves (as well as the Kam Curl re-signing) immediately turned the future of the defense around, and they have the attention of insiders across the league.

Two separate NFL insiders named these moves as “the best moves of free agency” of any team in the league:

“Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: The Rams signing cornerback Jaylen Watson. After trading for Kansas City’s Trent McDuffie, the Rams added another Chiefs cornerback. With his physical coverage traits and ability to align in press, Watson fits as the boundary matchup versus the X receiver. That will allow McDuffie to play to wide side of the field in coordinator Chris Shula’s defense.

Jason Reid, senior Andscape writer:The Rams trading for McDuffie. Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba tormented the Rams this season, capping his Offensive Player of the Year campaign with 10 receptions, 153 yards and a touchdown in the NFC Championship Game. The Rams gave up a lot of draft capital for McDuffie and then made him the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, but he could be outstanding for L.A. in the slot and on the boundary. Cincinnati All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase can attest to that.”

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I have to agree with Bowen and Reid here. The moves in the secondary have turned the defense into a Super Bowl-caliber unit, something they haven’t fielded in years. I dare say it’s their most talented secondary in recent memory. It unlocks their pass rush and shored up their run defense on the back end, a key problem in recent years.

The Rams paid a hefty price for both corners, but they will be well worth the price if it means they get to hoist a Lombardi Trophy by the end of the season.

Related: If the Rams truly are all in on a Super Bowl run, they still have plenty of roster needs to address this offseason

This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Mar 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.