The Los Angeles Rams might have boasted one of the NFL’s best defenses in 2025, but let’s be real, there was a glaring, frustrating soft spot: stopping the run cold. They only stopped a pathetic 15.3% of opponent carries for zero or fewer yards, according to Nutshell Sports. That’s a brutal stat, ranking them third-worst in the entire league on 417 attempts, only ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s wild to think a defense that otherwise crushes it would have such a weakness, but now, with the blockbuster addition of Myles Garrett, everything is about to change.
The Run Game Woes Were Real
Seriously, that 15.3% number? It tells a story. While the Rams ranked No. 1 in the NFL with a 34% run stop win rate according to ESPN Analytics, actually winning those individual reps up front, the ball carriers were still squirming free for manageable gains way too often. It was a total disconnect: guys were winning battles but somehow losing the war against the run. This isn’t a new problem for them either. Back in 2024, their run defense was one of the worst in the league, giving up 130 rushing yards per game, which was the 11th most in the NFL. That’s not a typo. They tried to fix it then, too. They brought in nose tackle Poona Ford last offseason, and credit where credit is due: Ford dropped an impressive 78.7 PFF run-defense grade, fourth-best among all defensive linemen. He helped shave almost 20 rushing yards per game off that ugly 2024 total for the 2025 season. Poona was a good start, but clearly, it wasn’t enough to slam the door shut.
Garrett Is the Game-Changer They Needed
This is where the blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett comes in. The Rams went all-in this past June, sending Jared Verse and three future draft picks to the Cleveland Browns for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Yeah, you read that right: *two-time* DPOY. Garrett isn’t just a pass-rushing phenom; he’s bringing a seriously reliable presence against the run, something that Verse, honestly, just wasn’t providing. Check the numbers: Garrett’s PFF run-defense grades over the last three seasons are 83.7, 78.4, and 82.5. That’s a huge jump from his first four seasons where he was consistently below 71.0. Now, compare that to Verse: his run-defense grade tanked from 81.0 as a rookie down to a worrying 62.0 in his second year. Plus, Verse missed 21 run tackles in just two seasons. Garrett? He’s missed fewer than that in his entire nine-year career. The difference is night and day.
With Poona Ford anchoring the interior and now Myles Garrett setting a suffocating edge, the Rams finally have the personnel to turn that “wins individual reps but still gives up too much” defense into one that consistently shuts down running backs before they even get a chance to breathe. This isn’t just a big trade; it’s a statement. They’re trying to build a defense that absolutely nobody wants to face, and this year, their run defense looks poised to be a brick wall.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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