Trent McDuffie says the Rams’ latest defensive makeover would have sounded impossible not long ago.
The cornerback, who won a pair of Super Bowl rings with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2022 through the 2025 season before landing in Los Angeles in a March trade, was asked this week about suddenly sharing a locker room with Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald. McDuffie’s reaction was blunt.
"I probably would've said you're lying, for real," McDuffie told show host Andrew Siciliano, per Grant Gordon of the league's website. "There's no way you can get me.
There's no way you can get Myles. There's no way you can get A.D.
But, hey, hat off to [general manager Les Snead]. Hat off to [head coach Sean McVay].
Those guys are masterminds, and they did it."
That kind of star power was not on the radar when McDuffie and the Rams agreed to a four-year, $124M extension. But the picture has changed fast.
In June, Los Angeles sent edge-rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round draft pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round choice to the Cleveland Browns for Garrett. Then, this past Sunday, it became public that Donald was coming out of retirement on a one-year deal.
The result is a defense that has people around the league talking. ESPN's Sarah Barshop noted that the Rams "might be positioned to have the best defensive front in NFL history."
Garrett arrives as a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and remains in his physical prime, while Donald, 35, has not played since retiring in March 2024. Even so, the Rams reportedly have a plan to keep the three-time Defensive Player of the Year at his best once the postseason arrives.
Donald’s return had been the subject of speculation for months, though it still looked possible as recently as Saturday that he might stay retired. McDuffie said the reaction inside the building was immediate when the news broke.
"When that news broke, and we kinda heard what was happening, I think everybody's eyes kinda got wide," McDuffie said about learning Donald was rejoining the Rams. "There were a lot of smiles going on.
Like I said, we're welcoming him back with open arms. We're just excited to see him get back on that field, because you know as well as I do, that man's a threat."
Donald said Sunday night that he "100 percent" believes he can "play at a high level" and get back to his best. He has not taken an in-game snap this year, but McDuffie said the early signs have been strong.
"He's one of those guys, everybody will say it, he comes ready," McDuffie added about Donald. "Ready to win.
Double lift days. Spending extra time, just getting back into football shape and learning this new playbook, but I know for me personally, just having a vet to come in here and knowing who he is, knowing what he's about, I think everybody around here is excited to bring him back and welcome him with open arms."
As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Rams as the heavy favorite at +500 to win Super Bowl LXI. On Monday, ESPN even aired discussion about whether the 2026 Rams could go unbeaten.
In Other News...
Rams Just Sent A Clear Message About Who Leads This Team
Leadership in Los Angeles now has a much broader cast. The Rams named a record 11 team captains for the 2026 season, and the group says plenty about where the organization wants its authority to live: with established veterans, trusted voices and the players expected to set the tone every week. Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Tyler Higbee, Coleman Shelton, Davante Adams, Myles Garrett, Kobie Turner, Nate Landman, Quentin Lake, Trent McDuffie and Joe Cardona make up the list, giving the roster a mix of offensive, defensive and special teams anchors.
The most notable twist is the arrival of Garrett and McDuffie into that leadership circle after recent trades and acquisitions, a sign that the Rams are not waiting for newcomers to settle in before handing them real responsibility. For a team that has leaned heavily on veteran presence in recent years, expanding the captain group this far feels less like a formality and more like a statement about how the locker room is being organized heading into the season. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Left Themselves Dangerously Thin Where They Could Least Afford It
The Rams went into roster cuts with a little room to maneuver at wide receiver and tight end, but not nearly as much margin at cornerback. By carrying only four cornerbacks on the initial 53-man roster, they made a clear choice about where they wanted their depth to live, and it was not in the one spot where injuries and matchups can turn a secondary upside down in a hurry. Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson remain key pieces at the position, but the overall numbers leave little cushion behind them.
For a defense that has to survive a long season against varied passing attacks, the balance looks precarious. Los Angeles waived other coverage options and may have to lean on the practice squad to patch holes if the cornerback room gets tested, which is exactly the kind of scenario teams try to avoid when setting their opening roster. The concern is not just talent, but how quickly the Rams could be forced to reshuffle if the position takes even a modest hit. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Face An Unusual Roster Problem Before Their Australia Opener
Before the Rams even get to worry about the 49ers on the field, there is the unusual business of getting everyone on the plane for Australia. The season opener will be played overseas, which means passports are not a side detail but part of the roster math, and both teams have had to spend real time making sure travel documents are in order for a trip unlike anything they see during a normal NFL season.
John Lynch described the process as a logistical grind, especially when it comes to new practice squad players who may still need passports and visas sorted out. For Los Angeles, the challenge is the same one facing San Francisco: the longest road trip in league history is also one of the most complicated, and the work behind the scenes has already started well before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]