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Should the Los Angeles Rams already be regretting their late-offseason blockbuster trade for edge rusher Myles Garrett? After a 0-1 start and learning he needs knee surgery that will land him on injured reserve, the buyer's remorse is feeling real.
Garrett will need to miss at least the next four games while on IR. The Rams need to get back on track fast, now trailing 1-0 Seattle and 1-0 San Francisco by a game in the tough NFC West.
The Rams gave up promising edge rusher Jared Verse and multiple future high draft picks (2027 first-rounder, 2028 second-rounder, 2029 third-rounder) to acquire Garrett. They also gave him a new five-year, $208.2 million contract with escalating salary cap hits.
Los Angeles' defense didn't look good at all opening the season in Melbourne, Australia, vs. the rival 49ers. The Rams had no sacks with limited pressure on quarterback Brock Purdy. Garrett didn't have a tackle or a QB hit. The Rams also gave up 174 rushing yards as the 49ers averaged 5.8 yards per attempt.
Here's why it's not too early to think the Rams' trade for Garrett is a big mistake:
MORE: Inside Myles Garrett recovery timeline after knee surgery
The Rams lost a massive division game early with Myles Garrett and have a tough schedule without him
Garrett's lack of full health for the 49ers game is now evident with him being ruled out of action for at least the next month. The good news at 0-1 is the Rams will be favored in their true home opener vs. the Giants to close Week 2 on Monday night. The bad news is, the Rams then play at Denver in Week 3 on Sunday night and play at Philadelphia in Week 4. The Rams go back home to face Josh Allen and Buffalo in Week 5, again on Monday night.
The Broncos, Eagles and Bills were all tough matchups for the Rams with Garrett. They become a lot tougher without him on the field to chase Bo Nix, Jalen Hurts and Allen. Heck, even the athletic Jaxon Dart not needing to worry about Garrett rushing him, the Giants have a fair upset shot next week.
Los Angeles got gashed by the run and also gave up too many big plays in the passing game. All those upcoming opponents are capable of doing damage in both areas, supporting by the running of QBs. Consider the Rams just gave 29 rushing yards to Purdy.
There wouldn't be as much concern for those games had the Rams played well in the opener with the rest of their defense stepping up for Garrett. Nothing is given early as the league puts the team in marquee matchups through early October.
The Rams can't expect Aaron Donald to be the ideal replacement
Although there's some hope that un-retiring Donald can be active for the inside of the 3-4 front to help the defense in Week 2, he's still 35 and coming off a three-year layoff. Now won't get the benefit on playing next to Garrett.
The Rams do have Kobie Turner and Byron Young to rush the passer with younger legs in the front seven. But they will miss Garrett's leadership and energy as much as his experience.
It's unlikely Donald would have been motivated to return without the opportunity to play with Garrett. The injury curveball means it gets more difficult to know what to expect from what Donald has left as an older future Hall of Famer.
The Rams' other big offseason acquisitions didn't help much early
Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, the former Chiefs starting cornerbacks acquired in big moves before Garrett, had trouble shutting down a limited 49ers' wide receiver corps that lost dynamic rookie second-rounder D'Zhaun Stribling to an ankle injury before he could make a catch in his debut. Former Ram DeMarcus Robinson smoked the secondary for a 39-yard TD. Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel also came up with critical plays, scoring in the red zone to join Robinson.
The Giants are next with Malik Nabers as their No. 1. The Broncos now have Jaylen Waddle joining Courtland Sutton. The Eagles have DeVonta Smith. The Bills added big-play threat D.J. Moore. These are some tough outside assignments on the horizon.
The 49ers also did a great job using the inside run and short passing game. You can bet the upcoming Rams opponents will take notice and work on getting the ball out quickly and wearing down the defense. McDuffie and Watson need a pass-rush boost to help in coverage, and without Garrett, that support will be limited.
Defensive coordinator Chris Shula saw a "dream team" developing, but without Verse or Garrett in the pass rush, he might need to get creative (blitzing) for pressure, setting up the corners to be burned more in single coverage.
The Rams' offense might need a lot more help than expected
Matthew Stafford had a rough, TD-less game against the 49ers. Kyren Williams, Black Corum and the running game worked well, producing 122 yards while committed to 29 carries. Stafford was not sacked by the 49ers, but he also took 8 QB hits and was under constant pressure. Once the connection with star wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams was off, the Rams' lack of depth at the position was evident, leading to Stafford relying on a bevy of backs and tight ends.
Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP, should rebound and not every defense he faces has Nick Bosa off the edge and Fred Warner in coverage. He needs to pick up the Rams' defense and play a lot better for them to have a chance to be 3-2 or better in the first five games.
The Giants have Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and others who can keep the heat on Stafford. The Broncos, Eagles and Bills can be three of the best pass-rush teams in the NFL.
The Rams still are loaded with talent and can overcome no Garrett with a fair shot to stay afloat. But they also could be staring at 1-4, before a Week 6 home game vs. Arizona.
In a top-heavy division and difficult NFC, that can derail the Rams' path as heavy Super Bowl favorites in a hurry. They got Garrett to win the Super Bowl, but his lack of early availability can put them in danger of not recovering in time to make the playoffs. That would definitely make the trade a massive bust.
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