Tuesday, September 1, 2026

The Rams’ Unorthodox Approach

  • QB Matthew Stafford, OLB Von Miller, and WR Odell Beckham Jr. have all been instrumental to Los Angeles’ playoff success.
  • All three were acquired within the last year.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

The Rams made some bold decisions in order to win immediately — and now they’re just a win away from a title.

QB Matthew Stafford, OLB Von Miller, and WR Odell Beckham Jr. have all been instrumental to Los Angeles’ playoff success. All three were acquired within the last year.

GM Les Snead eschewed conventional wisdom in trading a large portion of the Rams’ draft picks over the next two seasons. He also made shrewd financial plays to secure key playmakers.

  • The Rams acquired Stafford from the Lions by trading QB Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick, and first-rounders in 2022 and 2023.
  • For Miller, they sent 2022 second- and third-round picks to the Broncos; Denver ate $9 million of the $9.7 million remaining for the last season of Miller’s contract.
  • After being released by the Browns, Beckham signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal; he can make $3 million in incentives — which include winning the Super Bowl.
  • The Rams own third-, fifth-, and seventh-round picks in 2022, plus second-, third-, fifth-, and sixth-rounders in 2023.

However, L.A. could fall back on compensatory picks: OverTheCap projects the Rams to get five compensatory selections in the 2022 Draft — tied for most in the league.

The Rams (-4.5*) are the betting favorites — and if they beat the Bengals, no one will second-guess their personnel moves.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

First at FOS

Runners-Up Offered Seahawks Stake After Losing Out on Team

The deal is closing “very soon,” a source says.

Aaron Donald Return Supercharges Rams’ Status As 2026 ‘It’ Team

His return raised expectations and shortened betting odds. 
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/1/26 – LIV Golf’s Bankruptcy Bet, Messi Retires, Seahawks $9.6B Sale

0:00

Featured Today

Aug 3, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) kisses the championship trophy during the trophy ceremony after her match against Jessica Pegula (USA) (not pictured) in the women's singles final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

How Alex Eala Turned the Philippines Into a Tennis Nation

A December homecoming match could break tennis’s attendance record.
August 26, 2026

Deshaun Watson Has Done the Impossible: Unite Browns Fans

Watson was named the starter after complaining boos were “personal.”
August 23, 2026

Dan Snyder ‘Invisible’ in NFL Three Years After Commanders Sale

Snyder has had little to no contact with former NFL associates.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2026 Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores their first goal past Burnley's Max Weiss
August 21, 2026

Why the Premier League’s Star-Power Shortage Doesn’t Matter

The world’s richest soccer league doesn’t rely on big stars to dominate.
August 12, 2026

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.

Aaron Donald Returns to Rams

His one-year deal is worth $20 million.
August 27, 2026

Tampa City Council Narrowly Approves Rays Stadium Funding 

The long-sought-after project narrowly survives the city vote.
August 30, 2026

Josh Jacobs Put on Paid Leave by NFL

He can’t practice or play in games.
Sponsored

Kerri Walsh Jennings’s Playbook for the Future of Volleyball

The former gold medalist talks NCAA, the Olympics, & investing in volleyball.
Aug 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers (16) and San Francisco Giants center fielder Drew Gilbert (0) celebrate after scoring against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Oracle Park.
Exclusive
August 26, 2026

Kalshi Incorrectly Claimed Deals With Giants, Braves Were Exclusive

The prediction-market platform says the mistake was an accident.
August 26, 2026

NFL Owners Unanimously Approve Seahawks Sale

The Khosla family’s deal was officially ratified Wednesday.
August 25, 2026

What’s Next for Jed York After Prostitution Arrest?

The NFL and 49ers could take action.
August 25, 2026

WNBA’s Sky Ban Kanter Freedom From Arena Indefinitely

Sky owner Michael Alter denounced the actions of the former NBA player.