The Los Angeles Rams are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season after their acquisition of Matthew Stafford, currently sitting at 7-1.
Despite having a complete roster capable of winning it all as is, the Rams have been setting themselves up for another trade for some time now. They cleared some cap space by trading Kenny Young to the Denver Broncos, and could potentially save more by dealing DeSean Jackson ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
Sean McVay played it coy when asked if they were setting themselves up to make another blockbuster move, but it appears that’s exactly what they were doing all along.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Rams are acquiring star linebacker Von Miller from the Broncos in exchange for 2022 second and third round draft picks:
Blockbuster: Broncos are finalizing a trade to send eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two second-day 2022 draft picks, league sources tell ESPN.
Miller is now saying his goodbyes to his friends in the Broncos’ training facility. pic.twitter.com/wJjlDOQkPU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2021
Comp update: Rams are sending the Broncos a second- and third-round pick in the 2022 draft in exchange for eight-time Pro Bowl LB Von Miller, per sources
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2021
As part of the trade, the Broncos are paying $9 million of Von Miller’s remaining $9.7 million salary, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2021
Von Miller will make his Rams’ debut on Sunday Night Football vs. the Derrick-Henry-less Titans.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2021
This move sets the Rams up to be clear Super Bowl favorites if they are able to stay healthy. Miller is an eight-time Pro Bowl and three-time All-Pro.
While he is 32 years of age, Miller still has a lot left in the tank as he has recorded 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss in seven games this season. He joins a pass rush that already includes the likes of Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd, forming perhaps the best unit in the league.
This deal was made possible because Denver is paying most of Miller’s salary to finish out the season before he hits free agency. That means the Rams had to give up more to acquire him, and they did so with two draft picks.
L.A. now won’t have their top three picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, although Les Snead and Sean McVay have constantly shown that isn’t important to them as they try to maximize this Super Bowl window they’re currently in. Additionally, the Rams have shown an ability to find talent late in the draft in recent years, so they will have to do so again in 2022.
With the addition of Miller, the Rams are now set on both sides of the ball. He should make his debut when the Rams host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday Night Football in Week 9.
