Before Myles Garrett started absolutely dominating for the Rams, L.A. reportedly had their eyes on another sack monster: Maxx Crosby. Seriously, can you even wrap your head around that? A new report from The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero on Wednesday dropped a bombshell, revealing the Los Angeles Rams actually “called and kept tabs on Maxx Crosby” before pulling off their blockbuster deal for Garrett. Imagine a universe where that trade happened instead. It’s wild to think how close the league was to a completely different defensive landscape and what that would mean for teams battling it out every Sunday.
L.A.’s Obsession With a Pass Rush Was Real
Turns out, the Rams were absolutely, positively obsessed with upgrading their pass rush, even after tying for seventh in sacks back in 2025 and having Byron Young hit double-digit sacks that season. That’s not a bad pass rush, but clearly, L.A. wanted *more*. This wasn’t some spur-of-the-moment decision either. Pelissero’s report hints that the Rams’ interest in Crosby stretches way, way back, far predating just this past offseason. Remember when Crosby’s exit from the Las Vegas Raiders totally imploded because the Baltimore Ravens suddenly backed out of their trade? Yeah, L.A. was apparently lurking in that mix, too. We’re talking years of relentless pursuit here! The MMQB’s Albert Breer even dropped an absolute bombshell, reporting that Rams general manager Les Snead was trying to orchestrate *separate* deals for Crosby, Garrett, *and* Brian Burns way back before the 2022 trade deadline. Snead was clearly swinging for the fences, wanting an absolute game-wrecker off the edge, no matter the cost.
Garrett’s Reign vs. Crosby’s What-If Scenario
In the end, though, things worked out pretty, pretty, pretty well for Los Angeles. You could even say it was a blessing in disguise. As relentlessly good as Crosby is, and let’s be real, he’s a true force, Garrett is just on another planet. The guy is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, for crying out loud! He didn’t just have a good season, he shattered the single-season sack record with a mind-blowing 23 sacks. Twenty-three! And his durability? Insane. He’s only missed two combined games over the last five years. Think about that consistency. Compare that to Crosby, who, let’s be honest, missed out on a massive competitive upgrade by sticking around in Vegas. He could’ve been playing for a top contender, chasing a ring, instead of giving his all for a team that’s constantly trying to find its way. It’s a stark reminder of how thin the margins are in the NFL and how one pivot can change everything for players and franchises.
Week 1 Kicks Off With A Huge Disparity
Now, heading into Week 1, the raw impact of these decisions couldn’t be more obvious, especially as we kick off a new season. The Las Vegas Raiders are ranked a dismal 26th in Bleacher Report’s power rankings. Maxx Crosby is still giving it his absolute everything, but he’s doing it for a team that’s clearly struggling to find its footing and looks like an early season long shot. Meanwhile, the Rams? They’re sitting pretty at first overall in those same rankings, already looking like a Super Bowl contender after further bolstering their defense by adding Aaron Donald. This report just underscores the massive swing in fortune that one pivotal decision made for both franchises as the season officially gets underway. What a difference a few years, and one incredible trade, can make.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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